Wimpey no fines houses – any experiences? [wimpey] [hbr]

Q: Morning All,

Just wondering if anyone any experience of getting a mortgage on, and / or living in a no fines house construction?

It is a long story, but my wife and I have the house of our dreams. Our sales goes through beautiful and so was our purchase – and our appreciation to now.
The was done last week (neither of which Ive seen). But yesterday I have a call from our mortgage broker came up with the news that the valuation was rasied a question mark on the construction of the house – the surveyor was not sure if the brick was built with the rendering, or built with concrete has rendering.

He chased the officers to ask the sellers if they know.
In Meanwhile, I contacted our board as the former town house, to the questions construction.

I spoke with two of its inspectors who were quite helpful. She said if the house was built in 1940 or earlier it would brick, but if 50s would be from no fines concrete construction.

Our lender Northern Rock, which have not told our broker either way, if they would lend or not a concrete construction. But – there is clearly a problem for them.

Anyway, hopefully we know certainly in the next day or so. But in the meantime, if it appears to be no penalties, just wondered if anyone any experience with these homes?

Do Most lenders lend to them? (most in the street are now private, so some lenders to do?).
This will be a long term home for us, so in 15 years time or so, then this type of house impossible to sell?

Arrrgh – what a headace!


A:Phew – Panic Over!!

Just had a call from our Mortgage Advisor and NR have formally approved the mortgage offer. No questions or quibbles!!
Should have it in writing by the end of the week! All that headache and hassle for nothing!

Am delighted! One less thing to worry about.
Shame I blew my car up yesterday – looks like the head gasket! But that is another long story…….


A:Thanks all – that's very reassuring. All my reading online has suggested there are no problems with this type of construction. My only worry really was the mortgage – but Richard and dnWilliams has put my mind at rest.
Have spoken to our mortgage adviser who's getting on to NR today with all the info. Fingers crossed there wont be a problem. Will let you know.

A:There were about 300,000 of these houses built around 1950/60. As a guess I would suggest half of these are owner occupied and given average statistics then around 20,000 change hands every year. In my experience they are readily mortgageable.

A:One of my degree course lecturers was a cement chemist and I seem to remember something about these houses being prone to alkali agregate reaction. They are also prone to penetrating damp. There are surface treatments available but in my mind most surface treatments are a bit rubbish. Perhaps that's why they are considered a bit risky. I could be wrong though because I was in college over ten years ago.

There's also something in the back of my mind regarding problems with BISF housing having big problems. I think these were put up by British Steel and are of a similar construction. (Edit. Actually I think they might be a completely different construction! Please ignore.) My employers (local authority) have been involved with surveying a load of these. I'm not sure what the specific problems are though.

I'd be a little bit cautious about buying a no fines house to be honest. I don't want to worry you but research it thoroughly would be my advice.


A:My impression (and its only an impression) is that the bigger High Street lenders will normally accept them – but some of the smaller regional BS and the sub-prime lenders will be more choosy for some reason, so there might be a slight discount on price compared with a similar brick built ex LA house.

They are not classed as "Defective" but for some lenders the fact that they are concrete is a worry! But I think Halifax/Abbey/Nationwide etc should be OK. Hopefully for you, Northern Rock too!

Hopefully I won't get banned for this, but have a look at http://www.rwco.co.uk/concrete_council_house.htm on my website that mentions the point.

As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients.


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