EBR-01 Certificate Explained: Is It Official or Required by Mortgage Lenders?

Homeowners with spray foam insulation are increasingly being told that they need an EBR-01 certificate before they can sell their property, remortgage or satisfy a mortgage lender.

But what exactly is an EBR-01 certificate? Is it officially recognised? Do all mortgage lenders require it? And should homeowners agree to removal work solely because they have been told they need this particular certificate?

The key point is:

The EBR-01 website describes EBR-01 as a standard for mortgage-compliant spray foam insulation removal. However, in the publicly available RICS and Property Care Association guidance reviewed, we did not find EBR-01 identified as an official, compulsory or universally lender-required certificate.

We also did not find a publicly available statement directly from the major mortgage lenders confirming that every homeowner must obtain an EBR-01 certificate after spray foam removal.

This does not mean an EBR-01 document could never be considered as part of an individual mortgage application. It means homeowners should ask their own lender, valuer or surveyor to confirm exactly what evidence they require before agreeing to work based on claims that the certificate is mandatory.

What is an EBR-01 certificate?

EBR-01 is described online as a documentation and removal standard relating to spray foam insulation.

A certificate may be issued following work completed under the EBR-01 process to provide evidence that the removal followed its specified requirements.

However, we have not found EBR-01 identified within the publicly available spray foam guidance reviewed from:

• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• The Property Care Association
• The Residential Property Surveyors Association
• GOV.UK

This is important because a privately issued certificate is not automatically the same as an official government, professional-body or mortgage-lender requirement.

Is EBR-01 an official certificate?

An EBR-01 certificate may be a genuine document issued after removal work has been completed.

However, the existence of a certificate is different from that certificate being:

• Issued or backed by the UK Government
• Approved by RICS
• Approved by the Property Care Association
• Required under UK law
• Universally required by mortgage lenders
• A guarantee that a mortgage will be accepted

In the official RICS and PCA/RPSA guidance reviewed for this article, we did not find EBR-01 identified as an official or compulsory spray foam removal certificate.

The most important question for a homeowner is therefore not simply whether an EBR-01 certificate exists. It is:

Has your lender, valuer or surveyor specifically requested an EBR-01 certificate for your property?

Unless the answer has come directly from one of those parties, homeowners should not assume that this particular certificate is mandatory.

Do mortgage lenders require an EBR-01 certificate?

We have not found evidence of a universal mortgage-lender rule requiring every homeowner to obtain an EBR-01 certificate following spray foam removal.

Mortgage lenders make their own decisions, and requirements can vary depending on:

• The individual lender
• The property’s condition
• The type and location of the spray foam
• Whether the roof structure can be inspected
• Whether the foam has been properly removed
• The condition of the timbers and roof membrane
• The findings of the lender’s valuer
• The quality of the supporting evidence
• Whether an independent report is required

A lender accepting particular documentation for one property does not necessarily mean that the same document is formally approved or required for every future mortgage application.

No spray foam removal contractor can guarantee a mortgage offer because the final decision rests with the mortgage lender.

Is EBR-01 approved by RICS?

We did not find EBR-01 mentioned as an approved or required certificate within the publicly available RICS spray foam consumer guidance reviewed for this article.

RICS explains that spray foam can affect the inspection, valuation and mortgageability of a property. A surveyor may request further evidence or an independent specialist report before reaching a conclusion.

RICS also recommends retaining appropriate records, including photographs and information about the condition of the roof before, during and after any work.

That is different from stating that one particular contractor-issued certificate is required for every property.

Is EBR-01 approved by the Property Care Association?

The Property Care Association and Residential Property Surveyors Association developed a sprayed foam insulation inspection protocol to help surveyors assess properties containing spray foam.

The protocol provides a framework for considering factors such as the installation, ventilation, moisture levels, roof condition and whether the structure can be adequately inspected.

We did not find EBR-01 identified as a PCA-approved or compulsory removal certificate within the publicly available protocol reviewed.

The protocol is designed to support evidence-based decisions about individual properties. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that obtaining any single certificate will automatically make a property acceptable to every lender.

Can an EBR-01 certificate help with a mortgage?

It may form part of the evidence considered in an individual mortgage application, but its acceptance will depend on the lender and valuer.

Supporting evidence following spray foam removal could include:

• Before, during and after photographs
• A detailed description of the removal work
• Photographs showing the exposed roof structure
• Timber moisture readings where appropriate
• Details of defects discovered
• Details of repairs completed
• A contractor’s completion report
• An independent surveyor or roof inspection report
• Building Control documentation where applicable
• Guarantees relating to any roofing work completed

An EBR-01 certificate may be included alongside this evidence. However, homeowners should not be promised that it will automatically satisfy their lender unless the lender has confirmed this directly.

Be careful with “mortgage-approved” claims

Homeowners may see companies using phrases such as:

• Mortgage-approved spray foam removal
• Lender-approved certificate
• Guaranteed mortgage acceptance
• Accepted by all major banks
• The only certificate lenders will accept

These statements should be checked carefully.

Ask the company making the claim to provide:

• Written confirmation directly from the named lender.
• A link to the lender’s official published policy.
• Confirmation of whether the requirement applies to every property or only a previous individual case.
• Details of who operates and oversees the certification scheme.
• Evidence of any independent accreditation or professional-body approval.

A contractor saying that its paperwork has previously been accepted is not the same as a lender formally approving or requiring that certificate for every property.

What should homeowners ask their lender?

Before agreeing to work, ask your lender:

“The property contains spray foam insulation that may need to be removed. What exact reports, photographs, certificates or independent inspections will you require following removal?”

You can also ask:

“Do you specifically require an EBR-01 certificate, or will you assess the property using a detailed removal report, photographic evidence and an independent survey where required?”

Request the answer in writing wherever possible.

If you are selling your home, remember that the buyer’s lender may have different requirements from your existing mortgage provider.

What Countrywide provides

Countrywide Roofing & Insulation provides customers with a detailed Site Audit Report, including photographic evidence of the work completed and the condition of the exposed roof structure.

Based on our customer records to date, our Site Audit Reports have achieved a 100% success rate in the cases where customers have submitted them as part of a sale, remortgage or lender review. However, every property and application is different, and the final decision always remains with the lender, valuer or surveyor.

If removing the spray foam reveals that a roof replacement is necessary, Countrywide can complete the reroof and provide a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee, subject to the guarantee provider’s terms and conditions.

Where the reroofing work requires Building Regulations approval, the work is also processed through Building Control, with the relevant completion documentation provided once the work has been inspected and accepted.

The bottom line

The EBR-01 website presents EBR-01 as a spray foam removal standard. However, in the publicly available RICS and PCA/RPSA guidance reviewed, we did not find it identified as an official, compulsory or universally lender-required certificate.

We also did not locate a publicly available statement directly from the named mortgage lenders confirming that every homeowner must obtain an EBR-01 certificate.

This does not mean the document could never be considered in an individual case. It means homeowners should obtain confirmation directly from their lender, valuer or surveyor before agreeing to work because they have been told that EBR-01 is mandatory.

The quality of the removal, condition of the exposed roof, supporting photographs, detailed reporting and any independent inspections are likely to be more important than simply relying on the name of one certificate.

Need honest advice about spray foam insulation?

If spray foam is affecting your sale, remortgage or property survey, Countrywide Roofing & Insulation can inspect the roof and clearly explain the available options.

We provide detailed evidence of the work completed and will never claim that a contractor-issued document can guarantee mortgage approval.

Contact Countrywide Roofing & Insulation for a free, no-obligation inspection and quotation.

This article was reviewed on 29 July 2026. Mortgage policies and professional guidance may change. Always confirm current requirements directly with your lender, valuer, solicitor or surveyor.

Frequently asked questions

What is an EBR-01 certificate?

EBR-01 is described online as a standard and documentation process for spray foam insulation removal.

Is an EBR-01 certificate compulsory?

We have not found evidence that it is a legal or universally required mortgage certificate. Ask your lender or surveyor whether they specifically require it.

Is EBR-01 approved by RICS?

We did not find EBR-01 identified as an approved or compulsory certificate within the publicly available RICS spray foam guidance reviewed.

Will an EBR-01 certificate guarantee a mortgage?

No contractor-issued certificate can guarantee mortgage approval. The final decision rests with the lender and may depend on the property’s condition and the findings of its valuer.

What documentation might I need after spray foam removal?

You may need photographs, a detailed removal report, evidence of the condition of the roof, moisture readings, details of repairs and, in some cases, an independent professional inspection.

Should I contact my lender before removing spray foam?

Where possible, contact the lender or surveyor first and ask them to confirm exactly what evidence they will require following removal.