Are lenders stricter with mortgages when buying renovations now?

[GetBackinTheMilkYouRubberyGit]

There's a house nearby that needs a lot of work but it has a kitchen with oven and sink plumbed in. The bathroom is fully functioning and modern. Electrics look OK and has a combi boiler.
The estate agent had said cash buyers only...I last bought 5 years ago and our house basically had no kitchen but we got a mortgage no probs.
Are lenders very strict now? I think I'm really out of the loop
We could buy with cash and have the cash to do it up too but just wanted to know your thoughts
Thanks

I would guess it is unmortgagable for another reason?

I've usually taken this to mean the house is either unmortgageable (often because it's non-standard construction or has no kitchen/bathroom) or the seller wants a equivocal sale with no chain involved.