Selling a BISF Construction House

What a BISF house is

BISF houses were built by the British Iron and Steel Federation after the Second World War, using a steel frame with rendered or clad walls and often a steel-framed upper floor. They are a recognisable type of non-standard construction. Importantly, unlike some precast concrete (PRC) types such as Airey houses, BISF houses are not designated "defective" — but their steel-framed, non-traditional construction still affects lending.

How BISF affects a mortgage

Because BISF is non-standard construction, fewer lenders will mortgage it than a traditional brick-and-block home, and those that do may have conditions (a satisfactory structural assessment, no serious corrosion). This smaller lender pool means a smaller buyer pool, which can affect price and how quickly the home sells. It is usually less restrictive than a designated-defective PRC home, but still narrower than standard construction.

Widen the buyer market

Buyers using a specialist mortgage broker can often find finance, especially with a clean structural assessment.

Present and disclose

Be upfront about the BISF construction on the property information form, and provide any structural survey, maintenance records and repair documentation showing the steel frame is sound and free of serious corrosion. This reassures both buyers and the specialist lenders who consider BISF homes. Honest documentation is what keeps a BISF sale on track and helps it reach mortgage buyers, not just cash.

Selling fast

If lender restrictions are deterring buyers or you need speed, a cash buyer or investor will purchase a BISF house as-is, untroubled by lender criteria, and complete in 7-28 days. Investors in particular buy non-standard construction homes routinely. You disclose the construction, accept a price reflecting the market, and gain certainty. See Wimpey No-Fines and Cornish Units.