Spray foam loft insulation- mortgages

[Prettypaisleyslippers]

Mortgage lenders are not lending to buyers where the insulation is spray foam. (Costly) Removal causes delays, mortgage offer due to expire. Any tips?

any lenders still offering in these circumstances? Why is this still being allowed, Google shows loads of companies still selling this type of spray insulation.

I only know about this after reading threads on here. It does seem crazy that this product is still being sold when it makes the property unmortgageable.

There were a few lenders listed on the last thread who do lend on properties with it, you might be able to search and find it?

I think there's a disconnect between the genuine benefits of spray insulation and the flip side where it can also cause problems for lenders.

It's not just the removal but what it can mask if it's not been applied properly e.g. if it's been incorrectly sprayed on damp surfaces or gaps exist between the foam and woodwork or it's been applied on a roof that's in need of repair/replacement.

But you're right, it should be banned until it's properly regulated and lenders can agree on some criteria. It's a minefield so not sure how they get past this. They should really try to improve the application of solid insulation that can be removed more easily.

Sorry, no tips I'm afraid, except to steer clear of buying a house with it. For the time being anyway.

A surveyor needs to be able to inspect the roof. Until they can, I don't see how they can properly value a house (unless it's new)

It should be banned. Horrible product.

I can’t find the previous thread with lenders on, please could someone link?

I can't find it but post in Property/DIY and you should get some answers, good luck!

We have spray foam insulation. When we had it installed we weren't aware of any issues.

When we heard about these stories we queried it and were told that the issue was that foam insulation had caused all sorts of problems in the early days. It has improved over the years but many surveyors hadn't kept up with developments and didn't realise that modern products and methods were far superior so were tarring all products with the same brush.

The product used in our attic has BBA certification which gives us some confidence (along with the fact that we have no plans to sell anytime soon)!

The company also said that the following lenders regularly gave mortgages/finance on properties with their products.

Halifax
Santander
Nationwide
Atom bank
Barclays
Nat west
Bank of Ireland
Accord mortgages
Kensington
Aldermore
Virgin money
Newcastle Building Society

That was a few months ago, so things might have changed since then, and of course the product we have in our attic might be different from what is in yours, but some of the big names on that list might be a good place to start.

I bought my house last year and Nationwide refused to lend because the surveyor couldn't inspect the beams correctly as the foam had covered everything. The seller paid for a new roof in the end as the foam was so difficult to remove. It delayed the sale and cost £8k. The EA and seller were not happy.