Can You Get a Mortgage on a Property with Non-Standard Construction?

Written By Rowan Frayling

Dreaming of a quirky home? That charming thatched cottage or steel-framed house might be perfect—but it could also raise eyebrows with lenders.

What Is Non-Standard Construction?

A property is considered non-standard if it’s built using materials or methods that differ from the traditional brick-and-tile construction. This includes:

  • Timber or steel-framed buildings

  • Concrete pre-fab homes

  • Flat roofs

  • Cob or thatch

  • Converted barns or chapels

Why Do Lenders Worry?

Non-standard homes can be:

  • Harder to value

  • Difficult to insure

  • Tricky to resell

  • Prone to structural issues

Because of these risks, some lenders are cautious—or may decline to lend altogether.

Can You Still Get a Mortgage?

Yes, but:

  • Fewer lenders may be available

  • Higher deposit requirements are common (e.g. 20–30%)

  • A specialist broker can be essential to access the right deals

Top Tip: Always get a full structural survey before buying a non-standard property.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

Rowan Frayling
Next

How Parental Gifts and Loans Can Support First-Time Buyers