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Selling a non standard construction house: what buyers, surveyors and lenders look at

Selling a non standard construction house in England and Wales: the defective dwellings law, the survey buyers use and the papers that help a sale.

4 min read
Last reviewed 4 November 2026
By Your Property Check team

Part 1 of 6

What the term means

General information, not advice. We read the pages below on 4 November 2026, and the law described applies to England and Wales. "Non standard construction" is a trade phrase rather than a legal one. It is used for homes built with materials or methods that a mortgage lender may treat differently from conventional masonry walls and a tiled roof, such as certain concrete, steel-frame or prefabricated systems. Each lender sets its own policy, so one lender may lend on a house that another declines. We do not list construction types by era or by lender, because we could not verify a source for those claims.

Our guide to the age of a house explains how era links to construction, and says homes from some mid-century decades can include concrete, steel-frame or prefab systems that affect mortgageability.

Part 2 of 6

Designated defective dwellings: the law

Part XVI of the Housing Act 1985 gives financial help to owners of "defective dwellings". Legislation.gov.uk shows how it works:

Section 528 lets the Secretary of State designate a class of buildings that are defective by reason of their design or construction, where the value of the homes has dropped substantially because the defects became generally known.
A designation must describe the defect, set a cut-off date and a start date, and set a period for applications. It is published in the London Gazette.
Section 527 requires the applicant to be an individual with a relevant interest, which section 530 defines as the freehold or a long tenancy.
A local housing authority can also make a designation for buildings in its own district (sections 559 to 561).

Two kinds of help exist. A reinstatement grant pays 90% of the lowest of three amounts (the authorised amount, the actual cost and the statutory maximum), rising to 100% where financial hardship is shown (section 543). Section 538 requires that the repaired house is likely to last at least 30 years and remain mortgageable. Alternatively, a repurchase can apply where it would be unreasonable to expect the owner to secure or wait for the repairs. Section 551 sets a two year limit for certain repurchase-related claims.

Whether your house falls in a designated class, and whether the application window is still open, is a question for your local housing authority and a solicitor. We cannot tell you that from the Act alone.

Part 3 of 6

What a buyer's surveyor looks at

The RICS consumer guide explains that a lender's valuation is a limited check carried out for the lender's benefit, and that problems costly to put right may not appear in it. For homes that are unusual, RICS says Level 3 is recommended for "a building that is unusual or altered", while Level 2 suits conventional properties simple in form and layout. Its comparison table lists how the property is built, what materials are used and how these will perform in the future, plus hidden defects and repair options.

So a buyer of a non standard construction house will usually want a fuller survey than average, and a lender may ask for more evidence before it will lend. Expect questions.

Part 4 of 6

Questions and what to do

Question	What the sources say	What to do
Is the house in a designated class?	Part XVI of the Housing Act 1985 deals with designated defective dwellings	Ask your local housing authority and a solicitor
Will a lender lend?	Lender policy varies; no single rule	Ask lenders, or a broker, before listing
What survey will a buyer want?	RICS recommends Level 3 for unusual or altered buildings	Expect a fuller report and plan for questions
Has repair work been done?	Grants require repaired homes to be likely to last 30 years and be mortgageable	Keep every report, certificate and receipt

Part 5 of 6

Papers that help a sale

GOV.UK lists documents sellers need: title deeds, tenure information, an Energy Performance Certificate, planning permission and building regulation certificates, window certificates, warranties and surveys, electrical checks and party wall agreements. For a non standard house, add any structural engineer's report, repair specification and completion certificate. A buyer's solicitor will ask for them, and having them ready saves time.

If the house has movement or ground issues, see our guide to subsidence when selling and buying. If a gap in the papers cannot be fixed, indemnity insurance may cover some title or permission defects. It does not repair a structural problem. Our survey decoder helps read a report.

Part 6 of 6

Price

We do not state a price effect, because no source we read gives one. Buyers who need a mortgage may be fewer, and a cash buyer or a buyer with a specialist lender may be the practical route. Get at least two agent opinions and show each the papers. Our sold prices tool shows what similar homes nearby sold for.

This page is general information, not advice. Speak to a solicitor before you rely on any grant or designation.

Our take

Expect questions and have the papers ready

Our view: a non standard construction home can be sold, but it needs preparation. Lender policy varies, a buyer will usually want a fuller survey, and RICS recommends Level 3 for an unusual building. Ask lenders before listing, keep every report and receipt, and ask your local authority whether the house is in a designated class.

What Your Property Check adds: the sold prices tool shows what homes near a postcode actually sold for, and the free house value check gives an honest range with the working shown. Neither knows your construction type, so use them as a reference.

Check my value

Our opinion, drawn from the facts on this page: not advice and not a forecast. We earn from OfferCheck reports and from introducing sellers to cash buyers, so weigh it with that in mind (see our disclosure). We are not authorised or regulated by the FCA.

Questions, answered

Frequently asked questions

What is non standard construction?

A trade phrase for homes built with methods or materials, such as some concrete, steel-frame or prefabricated systems, that a mortgage lender may treat differently from conventional masonry. It is not a legal term and each lender sets its own policy.

Can you get a mortgage on a prefab house?

It depends on the lender and the system used. Policy varies, so ask lenders or a broker before you list. A buyer's surveyor will also report on how the property is built.

What is a designated defective dwelling?

Under section 528 of the Housing Act 1985 the Secretary of State can designate a class of buildings that are defective by design or construction and whose value has dropped because the defect became known. Owners may then apply to the local housing authority for help.

Does non standard construction affect the price?

We found no source that gives a figure, so we do not state one. A smaller pool of mortgage buyers may affect how quickly a house sells. Ask agents for their view and show them the structural papers.

What documents help when selling?

GOV.UK lists title deeds, an EPC, building regulation certificates, warranties and surveys. Add any structural report and repair certificate, since buyers' solicitors will ask for them.

Where this comes from

Sources

Last reviewed 4 November 2026 by the Your Property Check team. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. For your own situation, speak to a conveyancing solicitor or another qualified professional.