Everything You Need to Know About the Laing Easiform Mortgage

Thinking about buying a Laing Easiform house? Here is everything you need to know before purchasing…

What is Laing Easiform?

Laing Easiform houses are a construction type that originated with the John Laing construction company in 1919. Councils preferred them at the time as an efficient and cost-effective method for building houses, allowing many to be constructed in a short timeframe. Laing Easiform offered a solution to the housing shortage that arose during and after both World War I and World War II. Many Laing Easiform houses were constructed in the UK over a span of 40 to 50 years during the twentieth century.

Concerns are growing regarding Laing Easiform homes, particularly about their durability and the ongoing construction issues that have developed over time.

The article is updated as of Sept 6 2024

What was the construction process for Laing Easiform houses?

Laing Easiform were built on-site, which contributed to their construction speed. There are several kinds of Laing Easiform homes, but they all have a similar construction. The process would start with a strong slab foundation and a mastic asphalt floor covering for damp-proofing. After the floor dried, metal shuttering would be set up to serve as a mould for the walls. Concrete will be poured into moulds and strengthened with bars. The metal shuttering would be taken off after the concrete had cured and the walls were established. The roof would be added next to finish the main construction.

Laing Easiform homes were designed to last as long as brick-built homes. They are often regarded as sturdy and enduring. Many of these homes are over 50 years old, and because of the construction methods used during that time, some Easiform properties are starting to exhibit problems and degradation.

Laing Easiform is suitable for various types of properties, such as houses, flats, and maisonettes. During the 20th century, three main types of Easiform were created and utilized for two-storey houses.

Here’s a convenient table that shows the 3 construction types for Laing Easiform:

Easiform Type I:

These were the first and original Easiform houses constructed. The walls were constructed with 8-inch thick solid concrete. The outer walls were constructed using no-fines clinker concrete.

No-fines is a type of concrete mix that does not include sand or any small particles.

Around 2,100 Easiform homes of this kind were constructed between 1919 and the mid-1920s.

Easiform Type II:

In the mid-1920s, a new kind of cavity walled Easiform construction was introduced.

The structural system of the Easiform Type II house is fundamentally similar to that of a standard cavity-walled brick house.

The floor and roof loads are transferred to the foundations through the loadbearing inner layer of the external walls. The inner skin is supported and reinforced by wall tie connections to the outer skin.

Metal shuttering (or molds) were utilized to form the concrete cavity walls on-site.

The thickness of the external cavity walls in Type II Easiform houses changed based on the year they were constructed.

1925-1945:

The outer walls of the external cavity are made up of a 3-inch layer of normal dense gravel aggregate. The outer wall has ½ inch diameter steel horizontal bars for reinforcement. There is a 2-inch gap between the outer wall and the 3-inch inner skin, which is made of clinker aggregate concrete.

1945-1970’s:

The outer wall of the external cavity consists of 3 ½ inch natural aggregate concrete. There is a 2-inch gap between this and an inner layer of 3 ½ inch open texture concrete. Reinforcement exists in both the inner and outer layers.

Roofs were constructed with traditional timber trusses and concrete tiles. Roofs can either be hipped or gable, depending on their design.

Issues regarding Laing Easiform houses

Below are some potential issues you might face with a Laing Easiform house:

Asbestos. Many Laing Easiform houses may have asbestos in them. The soffits were initially constructed from asbestos cement boarding. Typical spots also include the loft hatches and the cupboards under the stairs. Any asbestos needs to be safely removed and disposed of properly.

Rusting of the embedded reinforcement. Easiform houses might experience corrosion of the embedded reinforcement. This may lead to cracking in the external walls. Typically, any Easiform houses built after 1946 experience only minor cracking.

Inadequate Insulation. Laing Easiform houses have limited thermal efficiency in their original state. You can enhance the space by adding external wall insulation, loft insulation, and new windows.

Fewer mortgage providers. Getting a mortgage on a Laing Easiform house can sometimes be challenging, depending on the build year and the lender’s criteria. Getting advice from a broker which increase your chances of getting a mortgage on an Easiform house.

Difficult to sell. Some buyers mistakenly believe that Easiform houses are flawed or lack structural integrity. It can be challenging to clarify these misconceptions. Some buyers prefer to steer clear of properties that have non-standard construction. It may take some time to locate a buyer who is interested. Some buyers mistakenly think that Easiform houses are flawed or lack structural integrity. It can be challenging to clarify these misconceptions. Some buyers tend to steer clear of non-standard construction properties. It may take some time to locate a buyer.

Is it possible to obtain a mortgage for a Laing Easiform house?

You can usually obtain a mortgage for a Laing Easiform house. Some mortgage lenders may not provide loans for Easiform properties constructed before 1945. There will be a reduced number of providers available due to the “non-standard” construction type. You might need to agree to a mortgage with less advantageous terms.

Certain mortgage lenders may refuse to provide loans for Laing Easiform houses constructed before 1945.

Talking to a mortgage broker could be beneficial if you’re struggling to find a suitable lender.

Mortgage providers consider non-standard properties to be of “higher risk.” A mortgage broker can assist you in identifying the right lender for your specific situation.

Various factors can affect your chances of getting a mortgage, not just the type of construction. Your credit score, current debt, and employment will be considered, just like with any mortgage.

Can you sell a Laing Easiform house?

It is possible to sell a Laing Easiform house. Finding a buyer may take more time because of the unique construction style. Many buyers tend to steer clear of properties with non-standard construction. This may be due to the related stigma, challenges in obtaining a mortgage, or concerns about future resale value.

Some Easiform houses may be hard to mortgage, depending on the year they were built. Research to find out who is available to lend on Easiform houses. This can help reassure buyers and make them more likely to make an offer.

If you choose to sell with an estate agent, it’s important to take some time to find the best one for your needs. It would be good to look for an agent who has experience in selling Easiform properties. They will clarify misconceptions for buyers and have a solid understanding of how Easiform houses function in the area.

If you’re having trouble finding a buyer in the open market, consider looking into other selling options. There are different methods to sell an Easiform house that could align better with your objectives and situation such as auction houses.

Get advice from a mortgage broker

Needing some advice? Looking to obtain a mortgage for a Laing Easiform property?

Our extremely competent brokers have connections with several lenders and can assist you with getting a mortgage approved promptly and effectively.

Please request a call back, and one of our experienced brokers will get back to you soon.