Can You Get a Mortgage with No Damp Survey?

Damp is one of those issues that you hear all sorts of horror stories about, especially if you watch cowboy builder shows on TV. While it might sound like it’s good news that you don’t 100% have to have a damp survey to get approved by a mortgage lender, there’s a little more to it than that.

Here at The Federation of Damp, and in other organisations such as the Property Care Association, you will find that the advice is always to invest in a damp survey. In fact, a comprehensive damp and timber report will be required by many types of mortgage lenders, even though it isn’t a strict legal requirement.

Let’s take a look at why this is the case, what your options are, and why the issue may concern mortgage lenders you make an application with.

What is a damp survey?

A damp survey, also known in the trade as a damp and timber report / damp and timber survey, is when a trained and certified damp specialist inspects your home from top to bottom, looking for:

• Timber infestation due to either dry rot or wet rot that has been left untreated
• Other forms of wood-rotting fungi that may be spreading throughout the property
• The presence of wood-boring insects that thrive in damp conditions
• Timber decay that would require replacement work by timber specialists
• Persistent damp patches due to issues like rising damp and penetrating damp
• Peeling wallpaper and tidemarks on ground floor walls that require further investigation
• Other damp problems that could be caused by excessive condensation and poor ventilation

The use of a moisture meter highlights the scientific approach and how quantifying the scale of the problem with an expert is far more suitable than attempting to perform your own basic survey.

What is a Damp Proof Course?

To get your mortgage approved, it’s highly likely that the lender will request a damp survey so that they can factor in any potential damp issues into their offer. The reason for this is that they want to make a judgement as to how likely any future costs and remedial work will make it that you can continue to pay your mortgage.

They may also request that you show proof of funding for the specific damp proof course that is recommended by the samp surveyors — this is the corrective work that removes mould growth and damp from your property.

A damp proof course will include the following actions, with the specifics determined by the precise nature of the issues the damp surveyors identified:

• Installation of cavity wall insulation to reduce issues with penetrating damp
• Sealing and re-rendering external walls to protect them against the elements
• The installation of a damp-proof membrane in the cellar or basement to combat rising damp
• Sealing of internal walls and their pores to eliminate rising damp
• The installation of specialist timber that the damp report highlighted

While you typically still achieve mortgage approval, you may find that the process is slower and more stressful if the issues aren’t solved at the earliest opportunity.

Who Pays for a Damp Survey?

This will be up for negotiation between the buyer and seller and is not something mortgage providers will ever assist with. If you are buying the home and are worried about woodworm infestations, wood decay, and issues such as chronic respiratory problems, it’s best to ask the seller to cover the damp survey cost.

Damp issues can be costly to correct, so if you decide to buy before they are solved, make sure you negotiate a drop of around 10% in the purchase price. This should cover work on all damp issues, including eliminating rising damp, removing excess condensation, and treating penetrating damp.

Damp and timber remedial works can be costly

While the damp survey cost will typically only be a few hundred pounds, a full damp proof course can run into several thousand pounds, depending on the severity of the issues. This is why your mortgage lender is quite likely to say that a damp report is needed as part of the wider property survey.

Can I Arrange a Specialist Damp Survey?

Yes, and your mortgage lender may have a list of approved contractors in the local area that they can refer you to. The best approach is to look for damp building surveyors who have been trained and certified by The Federation of Damp — the most trusted and in-depth body in the industry today.

How much does a damp and timber survey cost?

Supporting mortgage applications with a damp and timber survey will typically cost in the region of £200 to £300 and is always a wise investment.

You can think of the damp survey cost as a price worth paying to achieve peace of mind so that you know precisely what the state of play is when it comes to issues such as rising damp, for example.

Can You Get a Mortgage on a House with Damp?

Yes, although this may not be ideal for your physical and mental health. Mortgage lenders will lend against these properties, but living in one long-term can have a real impact on your general well-being. We always recommend taking corrective action as early as possible, preferably before you get the keys and exchange contracts.

How Much Does Damp Devalue a House?

Ask estate agents in your local area, and they will tell you that established damp problems typically knock around 10% off the final sale price. This means that could reduce your offer to offset the cost of work.

Give some thought to how damp will impact your quality of life and the mortgage valuation while you take a look at the answers to the most commonly asked questions below.

Can you get a mortgage offer without a survey?

Yes, because it’s not a legal requirement, but most lenders will ask you for one so they can fully assess the risk of lending to you.

Do mortgage surveyors check for damp?

A specialist damp survey conducted by a professional is always the best approach here. If you are in doubt about who is checking for what, the best approach is always to ask for clarification in writing. That way, you will have everything you need to prove that you have asked all the right questions.

Can you hide damp from a surveyor?

No, they will always find it. Trying to sell a property without disclosing something as serious as damp is illegal. Honesty is always the best policy, even if you feel like it is going to cause you headaches in the short term.

Is it illegal to sell a house with damp?

Provided the buyer knows the nature and extent of the damp, you can legally sell the property to them. You may find that the buyer expects a discount on the final sale price of around 10%.

How much does it cost to get a damp survey?

You can expect to pay £200 to £300 and in return, you will receive all of the guidance and advice you will need to put things right. These highly common specialist reports are designed to protect both buyers and sellers and should be seen as an essential component of the sales process.