If your home is built of anything other than brick or block with a tiled or slate pitched roof, mainstream lenders treat it as “non-standard” and look harder before lending - which makes it harder to sell to mortgage buyers. This guide explains selling a non-standard construction house in the UK in 2026, the specific concrete trap to know about, and the routes to a sale.
What counts as non-standard
To a UK lender, “standard” means masonry walls and a tiled or slate pitched roof. Everything else triggers extra scrutiny: precast reinforced concrete (PRC), in-situ concrete frame, BISF steel frame, Wimpey No-Fines, Cornish Unit, Airey, Reema, Unity and Wates among them. Non-standard does not mean unsellable - but it does narrow the lender pool and put documentation at the centre of the sale.
The PRC “designated defective” trap
The key thing to know: certain PRC house types were designated defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984. Most lenders will not lend on a designated-defective home unless its structure has been repaired under a recognised scheme - such as PRC Homes Ltd - and the work is evidenced by a Certificate of Structural Adequacy. That certificate is what turns an unmortgageable concrete house back into a normally sellable one.
Your routes to sell
Three routes. Produce the repair certificate if the home has been repaired - this reopens lending and value. Reach specialist lenders - firms such as Vida, Bluestone, Foundation and Pepper Money lend on challenging construction, and a larger deposit (25-35%) widens the options for your buyer. Or sell to a cash buyer or investor who knows the construction type and completes without a lender. Documentation is everything - see selling an unmortgageable property.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a mortgage on a non-standard construction house?
Often yes, through specialist lenders, and for repaired PRC homes with a Certificate of Structural Adequacy. Mainstream lenders are cautious, and larger deposits (25-35%) widen the options.
What is a designated defective property?
Certain prefabricated reinforced concrete (PRC) house types designated defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984. Most lenders will not lend unless the structure has been repaired under a recognised scheme and certified.
How do I sell a concrete or prefab house?
If it is repaired, sell with the Certificate of Structural Adequacy to reopen mainstream lending. Otherwise, reach specialist lenders or sell to a cash buyer or at auction who can complete without standard lending.
Does a non-standard construction house sell for less?
Often somewhat less than an equivalent standard home, because the buyer pool is narrower. Good documentation - especially a structural repair certificate - narrows that gap considerably.