Mortgage on Timber Framed House

Can you get a mortgage on a timber framed house? Find out here.

Talk to a Timber framed property specialist

  • Bespoke advice from a specialist in Timber Framed properties

  • Complex mortgage applications made simple

  • Mortgage success with a money-back guarantee

Get Started Phone Icon 0808 189 2301

Contact our network of specialised mortgage brokers for expert advice on your specific situation.

Home Property Types Mortgage On Timber Framed House
Pete Mugleston

Author: Pete Mugleston

Mortgage Advisor, MD

Jon Nixon

Reviewer: Jon Nixon

Director of Distribution

Updated: March 18, 2024

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continuously monitor changes in the financial space and work closely with qualified mortgage advisors for factual verification.

October 4, 2022

In the past, getting a mortgage on a timber frame property has been difficult, but these days, it’s possible with the right advice. People have been building properties with these frames for centuries, but some mortgage lenders still see them to be a risk.

In this article, you’ll learn about timber-framed house mortgages, how to get one, the potential issues with these properties, and how to avoid them.

Can you get a mortgage on a timber-framed house?

Yes. This is potentially possible but whether your mortgage is approved depends on a number of factors. Despite their popularity, some mortgage lenders deem timber frame properties to be ‘non-standard’ and may be concerned about the quality and longevity of the property’s structure as well as the higher risk of fire damage.

These issues can make getting a timber frame mortgage difficult – but not impossible. This where the advisors we work with come in. There are brokers in our network who are experts on timber frame property mortgages. They are well aware of the pitfalls they pose and know exactly which lenders offer these mortgages at the best possible rates.

Eligibility requirements

There are a variety of factors that can affect whether you’ll be able to get a timber frame house mortgage, and if so, the kind of terms that a lender might offer you.

The type and age of the property

There’s a lot of variety within the category of timber-framed properties. Many timber-framed house mortgage problems are caused by the less reliable varieties of the house – there are more than 200 varieties of timber frame property on the market. The timeframe in which the property was built can be a big factor – and newer is not necessarily better. For example, there are reports of houses built in the 1400s holding up better than houses built in the 1970s.

This is why a detailed survey is so important. You may find that your lender will want to carry out a timber and damp survey for a mortgage on this type of property – to determine specifically what kind of timber frame you’re dealing with.

This could include a full structural engineering report – which could cause problems if surveyors are unable to access and inspect the frame (for example, if the cavities have been filled with foam). ‘Hidden defects insurance’ may be required if this is something that concerns you or the lender.

The other materials used in the property

Lenders are often interested in the kind of cladding and exterior of the building. They like timber-framed properties with an exterior that is predominantly brick, or stone. An exterior consisting of more brittle materials such as metal sheeting, timber or plastic could make getting a mortgage on a timber-framed house a lot more difficult.

The mortgage lender

Some lenders are more open to financing timber-framed properties. – and at better rates. The expert advisors we work with know who these lenders are and may be able to help you find one of them.

Your credit history

Your credit history will determine how risky your lender will deem you. It can be a barrier, but is usually not a dealbreaker. Things that can affect your credit history include any recent missed payments, defaults or repossessions. If you want to know more about how your credit history can affect your application, take a look at our article on bad credit mortgages.

You can download your credit reports to see how your credit record currently looks. If you see anything on the report you’re unsure of it’s definitely worth reach out to a mortgage broker who can advise you on the best course of action before applying for a mortgage.

Did you know… You could access 30% more of the mortgage market with a broker on your side.

Maximise your chance of approval with a dedicated specialist broker

Get Started

Ask Us A Question

We know everyone's circumstances are different, that's why we work with mortgage brokers who are experts in all different mortgage subjects.

Ask us a question and we'll get the best expert to help.

Feefo 5 Stars
1 of 3
£
£
£
2 of 3
3 of 3 Send!

Financing a timber-framed extension with a mortgage

This is theoretically possible but a timber-framed extension might require a specialist lender as some providers are conservative when it comes to the external finishes they permit.

Timber frame extensions can be more affordable than traditionally built ones due to being less labour intensive, but whether you refinance an existing mortgage or take out a new one on a property you own outright, you should always make sure the value the extension will add to your home exceeds the amount it costs to bankroll.

Will I need planning permission?

If the project does not exceed a certain size and scale, you may be able to extend without planning permission under Permitted Development Rights (PD). Anything outside of PD criteria will require planning permission from the local authority. You should also consult with the local council if your property is located in a conservation zone or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Can I get a mortgage on a home with timber cladding?

If the property you’ve got your eye on has timber cladding, this could well be specialist lender territory. Most mortgage lenders accept decorative cladding over blockwork, but if there’s no blockwork beneath the timber cladding, some will turn you away outright.

Some lenders are cautious of timber cladding because it requires regular maintenance, and if the property owner does not keep up with it, the home could depreciate in value and therefore be more difficult to resell in the event of a repossession.

Your choice of lenders may come down to how much of the property has timber cladding. Some providers will lend if it covers the entire home, while others will only do so if the ground floor is brick and block, and the timber restricted to the first floor.

Mortgages for timber lodges

To finance the purchase of a timber lodge, you could apply for a log cabin mortgage from a niche mortgage provider or construct one yourself (assuming you have the means and expertise) by going down the self-build mortgage route. Insurance and interest rates tend to be higher on log cabin mortgages, as are rates on self-build mortgages.

Self build-mortgages are harder to come by than standard residential loans, so if you need one to finance a non-standard construction property such as a log cabin, seeking specialist advice is doubly important.

This is niche lending territory, but with the help of the whole-of-market brokers we work with, you’ll stand the best chance of finding timber lodge finance at favourable rates.

Did you know… An Online Mortgage Advisor broker has access to more deals than any comparison site.

We're so confident in our service, we guarantee it.

We know it's important for you to have complete confidence in our service, and trust that you're getting the best chance of mortgage approval at the best available rate. We guarantee to get your mortgage approved where others can't - or we'll give you £100*

Happy approved couple

Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage on a timber-frame property?

Yes, this is certainly possible if you pass the lender’s eligibility requirements. The factors which affect whether a timber frame property is ‘mortgageable’ are the same for a buy to let property as they are for a residential home.

The only real difference is the way affordability is assessed. The mortgage provider will likely base their lending decision on the viability of the investment, i.e. whether the forecast rent income will cover the mortgage payments each month.

Head over to our standalone guide if you need more information on buy to let mortgages.

Self-build mortgages for timber-framed properties

It may be possible to get a self-build mortgage to construct a timber-frame property, but only if you have the means and expertise to build it, or at least oversee the construction. Timber frame is a popular material among self-build mortgage borrowers due to its energy efficiency and the fact it’s a relatively quick method of construction.

With self build mortgages, the funds are usually released in staged drawdowns as the building work progresses, and most lenders insist on carrying out site inspections ahead of each stage to make sure the building work is progressing as planned. Specialist advice is important for a timber frame self-build mortgage, so make an enquiry to speak with a whole-of-market advisor and find out what your options are,

Potential problems with a timber frame house

Like many non-standard properties, timber frame houses could be harder to insure and/or sell on afterwards. Insurers will mostly be concerned about the perceived fire risk of a timber frame, whereas property buyers and mortgage lenders will be wary of a house with a wooden frame because they may be perceived as being less ‘durable’ compared to standard construction properties.

Are there any specific timber frame mortgage lenders?

There’s no one lender that is specifically best for timber frame mortgages.

Below are some of the more high street lenders’ current stances on timber frame property mortgages:

Lender Stance
Nationwide timber frame mortgages Nationwide typically treats timber framed property built after 1970 as ‘standard’, provided the outer walls are built with brick, reconstituted stone or block.
Halifax timber frame mortgages Halifax assesses such properties on an individual basis and relies on the surveyor’s comments. They don’t lend on buildings where the cavity (between the frame and cladding) has been filled with an insulation material.
Santander timber frame mortgages Santander tends to consider each timber framed property on its own merits, merits in a similar manner to Halifax.
HSBC timber frame properties HSBC will potentially lend on timber frame mortgages, with a maximum LTV of 80%. They tend to avoid anything built between 1920 and 1965
Natwest timber frame mortgages Natwest will consider timber framed properties, even those with a timber exterior. They won’t lend on anything that has cavity wall installation, unless this was installed during construction.

Information correct at time of writing: 01/04/2019 Of course, there are other lenders out there who would consider timber frame mortgage applications and it’s often the case that a specialist broker is required to get the best rates on these properties or, in many cases, get a mortgage in the first place. Make an enquiry to speak with one today.

Speak to an expert

Whether your property is ‘non-standard’ or ‘regular’, one of the whole-of-market mortgage broker’s we work with is probably your greatest ally in getting the finance you need for the property you want.

They’re one of the best sources of mortgage advice regarding timber-framed houses you can find and sometimes can get you access to broker-only deals and lenders that are not available to the general public. A great broker knows from experience what kind of lenders are best for your unique circumstances, and can save you the heartache, wasted time and money of rejected applications.

If you have questions about timber framed property and want to speak to an expert for the right advice, call Online Mortgage Advisor today on 0808 189 2301 or make an enquiry online.

Then sit back and let us do all the hard work in finding the broker with the right expertise for your circumstances.  We don’t charge a fee and there’s absolutely no obligation or marks on your credit rating.

Maximise your chance of approval with a dedicated specialist broker

Get Started

Ask Us A Question

We know everyone's circumstances are different, that's why we work with mortgage brokers who are experts in all different mortgage subjects.

Ask us a question and we'll get the best expert to help.

Feefo 5 Stars
1 of 3
£
£
£
2 of 3
3 of 3 Send!

FAQs

To put it simply, it’s a property with a framework made from timber materials. Timber frame construction is again growing in popularity – though houses have been built this way for a long time. Most timber-framed properties have an outer layer of brick, so it’s not always immediately obvious if the house is a timber frame or not.

Timber frames are relatively cheap to construct and it’s for this reason that many new builds have them, but – like most houses, there can be a large variety in quality from one to the next.

The main issues that can affect timber-framed properties are dampness and timber decay. Many properties are being built with timber frames and at much higher standards. As such these new-build timber frames can be much easier to finance than older examples.

Ask a quick question

We can help!

We know everyone's circumstances are different, that's why we work with mortgage brokers who are experts in timber properties.

Ask us a question and we'll get the best expert to help.

Our Brokers

Get in touch today

Make an enquiry and we'll arrange for an experienced mortgage broker we work with to contact you straight away.

1 of 3
£
£
£
2 of 3
3 of 3 Send!

About the author

Pete, an expert in all things mortgages, cut his teeth right in the middle of the credit crunch. With plenty of people needing help and few mortgage providers lending, Pete found great success in going the extra mile to find mortgages for people whom many others considered lost causes. The experience he gained, coupled with his love of helping people reach their goals, led him to establish Online Mortgage Advisor, with one clear vision – to help as many customers as possible get the right advice, regardless of need or background.

Pete’s presence in the industry as the ‘go-to’ for specialist finance continues to grow, and he is regularly cited in and writes for both local and national press, as well as trade publications, with a regular column in Mortgage Introducer and being the exclusive mortgage expert for LOVEMoney. Pete also writes for Online Mortgage Advisor of course!

Read more about Pete

Pete Mugleston

Mortgage Advisor, MD

Maximise your chances of approval, whatever your situation - Find your perfect mortgage broker