Property types
Selling an Airey House
Airey houses are precast reinforced concrete (PRC) homes, designated "defective" under the Housing Defects Act 1984 because the concrete and steel reinforcement can deteriorate. Most mainstream lenders refuse to mortgage them unless repaired to an approved PRC-certified standard, so unrepaired Aireys are effectively cash-buyer-only. To sell: either repair to a certified standard (restoring mortgageability and value) or sell as-is to a cash buyer or specialist investor who completes in 7-28 days.
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- PRCdesignated defective
- Certified repairrestores mortgage
- 7-28 dayscash or PRC investor
What an Airey house is
The Airey house is a type of precast reinforced concrete (PRC) home, mass-produced after the Second World War to address housing shortages. It is built from concrete columns and panels reinforced with steel. Over decades, the concrete can carbonate and the steel reinforcement corrode and expand, causing cracking and structural concern — which is why Airey houses were among the types officially designated "defective" under the Housing Defects Act 1984.
Why lenders refuse them
Because of the designation and construction risk, most mainstream lenders will not mortgage an unrepaired Airey house. This shrinks the buyer pool to cash purchasers, which depresses both price and saleability. The barrier is the construction status, not the location or the home itself — so resolving the status is what resolves the sale. Some specialist lenders may consider a repaired Airey with the right certification.
Repair to a certified standard
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| PRC repair scheme | Approved structural repair (e.g. licensed system) |
| Certification | PRC certificate confirming the repair |
| Engineer sign-off | Structural confirmation for lenders |
| Result | Many lenders will then consider it |
A certified repair is costly and takes time but maximises value by re-opening the mortgage market.
Selling as-is
If you cannot or do not want to undertake the repair, you can sell the Airey as-is to a cash buyer or specialist investor who understands PRC homes — they buy unrepaired Aireys routinely, sometimes to repair and resell. You accept a price reflecting the construction and the cost of any repair, but gain a fast, certain sale. A cash buyer completes in 7-28 days without a lender to satisfy.
Disclosure and documentation
Disclose the construction type and any repair status on the property information form, and gather any PRC certificate, engineer’s report and repair documentation you have. This is exactly what a buyer (and their lender or surveyor) needs. Honest documentation of a certified repair is what turns an Airey from a cash-only liability into a mortgageable, saleable home. See Cornish Units and BISF houses for related PRC types.
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Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
Can I sell an Airey house?
Yes — either repaired to a certified PRC standard (restoring mortgageability) or as-is to a cash buyer or specialist investor who understands PRC homes and completes in 7-28 days.
Why can’t I get a mortgage on an Airey house?
Because Aireys are precast reinforced concrete homes designated defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984, and most lenders refuse them unless repaired to an approved PRC-certified standard.
How do I make an Airey house mortgageable?
Have it repaired under an approved PRC repair scheme with proper certification and structural sign-off. Many lenders will then consider it.
How much does an Airey repair cost?
A certified PRC structural repair is a significant cost that varies by property. Weigh it against the value uplift from restoring mortgageability, or sell as-is to a cash buyer.
Do I have to disclose an Airey construction?
Yes — disclose the construction type and any repair status on the property information form, and provide any PRC certificate and engineer’s report.
How fast can I sell an Airey house?
A cash buyer or specialist investor can complete in 7-28 days, buying as-is and factoring any repair into the offer.