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There are lots of things to consider when you apply for a secured loan, including the type of property you own, its location, value and any potential structural issues it may have.
All of this and more will be reviewed by the lender before they make a final decision about your application, and they can often find solutions for the most complex of circumstances.
From subsidence and property values to construction types and special features, we answer some of the most asked questions about secured loan property types.
You can usually find a lender that is happy to accept a property with an annexe as security against the loan.
An annexe is self-contained living space that may share common services with the house (plumbing, landscaping etc.) and is classed as being part of the same address. It can be joined to the main property or be an independent structure or outbuilding.
The lender will usually ask for more details about the annexe to establish if it’s being used and if anyone is currently living there.
Get in touch to find out more about the type of information you may need to provide with your application for this type of property.
If you live in or own a property that is classed as non-standard construction, there are specialist lenders that will allow you to include them in your application.
Non-standard construction refers to properties that are made from timber, steel-frames, large panel systems or that use in situ poured concrete (such as Wimpey No Fines or Laing Easiform).
These types of properties are usually referred to the lender for assessment, which will allow them to review the details of the valuation report.
Our advisors can give you guidance about your eligibility for a secured loan if you are thinking of including this type of property in your application.
Although they used to be quite rare, flat roof homes have become more popular in recent years and lenders tend to adopt a flexible approach when it comes to using them as security.
Most homes are built with slanted roofs to protect the structure against environmental damage, such as water pooling from rainfall. Flat roofs can work just as well, but if they are poorly maintained it could lead to leaks and structural damage which can be expensive to repair.
A referral may be needed for a flat roof property so the lender can check the overall condition, which we can advise about in the early stages of your application.
Properties that have Japanese Knotweed growing nearby can be considered by secured loan lenders after they have gone through a referral process.
Japanese Knotweed is an ornamental garden plant that can grow up to 2-3 metres high and up to two metres deep. It looks for light and water in concrete, cavity walls, drains and sewers and can cause structural damage if not properly managed.
While the plant can present a few more challenges that need to be overcome during the application process, these can be resolved with the right approach.
For example, lenders will need more information about the location of the Knotweed in relation to the property and assess the overall level of risk it poses.
Once it has been established that the plant poses no threat to the structural integrity of the property, you can focus on meeting the other parts of the lending criteria.
Most of the lenders we work with will accept a property with solar panels, so this shouldn’t cause any issues with your application.
If you are aware of any restrictions or leases that are in place due to the solar panels, you should inform the lender so they can be reviewed to minimise any unnecessary delays.
There are lenders that will accept properties made from mundic blocks once they have been able to review the valuation report.
Mundic block was a specific type of building material used in parts of Southwest England between 1900 and 1950. It used waste materials from nearby mines as a concrete aggregate, which has been known to degrade over time and create potential safety issues.
If you are considering using this type of property as security, it’s a good idea to ensure that mundic block testing has been carried out to establish the grading of the material.
Let us know if your property has been built with mundic blocks and we can tell you more about what you will need to include in your application.
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Subsidence on your property can make it more challenging to get a secured loan, although it depends how much risk it poses to the property.
When the ground beneath a property’s foundation starts to sink, this is referred to as subsidence. If it is not repaired, it can create structural damage to the building and potentially even lead to collapse.
Before a lender considers this type of property, they will need to establish if the required repair work has been carried out along with a report from a structural engineer.
As long as you can provide this and meet the rest of the lender’s eligibility criteria, you stand a good chance of being offered a deal.
Depending on the location of the property there can be limits on the minimum or maximum property value.
For example, some lenders may have a maximum limit of £2.5 million for properties based in Greater London, although this depends on the current loan-to-value (LTV).
Similarly, other lenders may have a minimum limit of £60,000, which will also be influenced by its location and LTV.
However, because there are often important differences between property types, these limits can change on a referral basis, so get in touch and we can discuss the property in more detail.
Even if you are on the first day of ownership of a new property, there are lenders that will accept it as loan security.
When it comes to the number of bedrooms you have in the property, most lenders will not have any basic restrictions in place.
This usually applies to kitchens too, although the lender will need to clarify why the property has multiple kitchens installed. For example, if you have an extra kitchen located in an annexe, this shouldn’t prevent you from using the property as security.
Of course, each property is different, and everyone’s circumstances are unique, so if you need more detail about how this works, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
Properties based in the Scottish Isles or Northern Ireland can be accepted for secured loans but we the number of lenders are limited.
The location of the Scottish Isle property can impact the length of time it takes to complete a valuation, which could mean it takes a little longer to complete the application. This is because there can be limited availability of surveyors in some remote regions, especially if they choose to wait until they have a certain number of properties to inspect before travelling to the location.
We work with lenders who cover most regions in the UK, including some of the most remote parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While there are specific conditions in place for remote locations, a solution can usually be found once the lender has more detail about your situation.
If you have any more questions about this or any other issue, or if you live in the Isle of Man or Channel Islands, We currently don’t have lenders offering products there.
We’re extremely proud to be rated ‘Excellent’ for our service standards. We’ve helped thousands of customers across the UK over the last 15 years to find the right finance for their needs – no matter how complicated the circumstances. And we look forward to helping you.
Our advisors have inside knowledge of the secured loan market and can give you a head start when it comes to finding the right deal for you. They know how lenders work and the type of information they tend to ask for, so it can be easier for you to make an informed decision about the next steps of your application. If you have built your own property or purchased a new build, our Self-Build/New Build Guide may be useful
Give us a call and we’ll be able to answer your questions about secured loans and any specific issues related to your property. Get in touch on 01656 766 158 and they’ll be more than happy to help.
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Willows Finance Limited
Brocastle, Bridgend, CF35 5AS
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Firm Reference Number: 670052
Company Number: 6678545 (Registered in England and Wales)
This document outlines the services we provide. If you need clarification, please contact us at 01656 766158.
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Other finance options may include:
Regulatory Status:
We offer an advised mortgage broking service and provide enough information for you to make an informed decision.
We are not independent financial advisers. Free debt advice is available from the Money Advice Service.
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We charge a broker fee upon loan completion. The average fee is approximately 5%, depending on your situation.
Fee details:
No refund is offered after completion. You may pay upfront or add the fee to your mortgage. Fees and commission will be detailed in your ESIS and Mortgage Agreement.
You will receive a Mortgage Agreement and an ESIS document detailing:
You may cancel your application anytime before completion without any charge. Mortgages cannot be cancelled after completion.
Missing payments can lead to charges, repossession, and negative impacts on your credit rating.
Consolidating debt may result in higher long-term interest. Securing debt against your home increases risk.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it.
If you wish to complain, contact us at:
Willows Finance Limited
Brocastle, Bridgend, CF35 5AS
Tel: 01656 766158
You may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
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More info: www.fscs.org.uk
After processing your application, you’ll receive a Mortgage Agreement and have a 7-day reflection period.
Contact us during this period with any questions. To proceed, sign and return the agreement.
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