If your place isn’t a standard property, some lenders might not be willing to offer you a mortgage. That’s because non-standard properties can cost more to maintain and can be harder to sell. But if you know where to look, it’s possible to find a mortgage deal on a non-standard home.

What is a non-standard construction property?

If a property's made from something other than bricks and mortar with a tiled roof, it’s typically classed as non-standard construction.

Non-standard properties can include those with single-skin brick walls or steel frames, and concrete prefab homes. But lenders don’t all view “non-standard” the same way, and there are specialist lenders for unusual properties.

Property types include:

  • Homes with a thatched roof or flat roof
  • Homes with a single-skin brick wall (solid wall)
  • Homes made of concrete
  • Pre-fab buildings
  • Homes with a timber or steel frame
  • Listed buildings
  • Flats in a tower block (lenders are more cautious since the Grenfell Tower fire)
  • Eco-builds, such as those using hempcrete

Why does construction type matter to mortgage lenders?

Mortgage lenders worry about not just the structural integrity of your home but also the cost of insuring it and its resale value and ease of selling (in the event that they have to repossess it). 

They can view non-standard buildings as more costly to insure and maintain (meaning you have less money to repay your mortgage), as well as trickier to sell.

Can you get a mortgage on a non-standard construction property?

Yes, you can. But it’s less straightforward so it makes sense to use a broker like Habito who can search for specialists as well as standard lenders who might be willing to offer a mortgage on a construction such as a timber-frame or concrete house.

‍Chat to a broker

Boost your chances

The following can also help you when applying for a non-standard or non-traditional construction mortgage:

  • A detailed survey
  • A lender familiar with non-standard builds
  • A larger deposit (20–25% may be required)
  • A good credit history

Single-skin brick walls: What you need to know 

These are often found in older properties. No cavity means less natural insulation and more risk of damp. But you can insulate – internally or externally – and still get a mortgage.

In a nutshell

A non-standard construction mortgage can be more costly and need a bigger deposit, and the lender’s checks on what you can afford may also be more strict, because of the higher costs of maintaining the property. But chatting with a broker can put you in the best position to find the right deal.

References:

  • Concrete/PRC homes: GOV.UK – Non-traditional housing
  • Single-skin walls: Energy Saving Trust – Solid wall insulation
  • Timber-frame concerns: Build It – Timber Frame Mortgages
  • Flats/high-rises (EWS1): RICS – Cladding & multi-storey valuations
  • Eco-builds (hempcrete etc.): Build It – Mortgages for Eco Homes

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