Which Mortgage Lenders Accept Spray Foam Insulation? (2026 Update)

The short answer: more lenders than many homeowners expect. On 22 October 2026 the government named eight lenders that are open to lending on homes with spray foam, subject to their own requirements: Nationwide, Lloyds, Santander, Barclays, NatWest, Coventry Building Society, The Co-operative Bank and HSBC. Others still decline, and every lender decides each case on the property in front of it.

This guide explains where lenders stand, what they usually ask for, and what to do if spray foam is holding up a sale or remortgage. Lender policies change, so always check the current position with your lender or a mortgage broker.

Why spray foam causes mortgage problems

Spray foam is sprayed onto the underside of the roof, where it covers the rafters and the roof membrane. A valuer cannot see the timbers behind it, so they cannot confirm their condition. Where foam has been fitted badly, it can also trap moisture against the timbers.

That uncertainty is the real issue for lenders. A valuer may mark the property as unsuitable, ask for a specialist report, or hold back part of the loan until the roof has been checked.

A widely reported case

The Guardian has reported on homeowners who installed spray foam to cut their energy bills, then found their home hard to remortgage. In one case, removal was quoted at more than the cost of the original installation. Stories like this are why it pays to understand your lender's position before you act.

Which lenders will lend on a home with spray foam?

The table below combines the government's list with the lenders most often reported as declining.

"Open to lending" does not mean every application is accepted. Each of these lenders still sets its own conditions, which often include installation paperwork, a warranty, or a specialist inspection of the roof. The government says lenders can be added to its list at any time.

For more on individual lenders, see our guides to Halifax and spray foam and Nationwide and spray foam.

Equity release and spray foam

Equity release is harder. The HomeOwners Alliance reports that equity release providers generally will not lend while retrofitted spray foam is still in place. Some providers have begun to offer a route where removal is arranged before completion and paid for from the plan, subject to their criteria and a revaluation afterwards. If you are planning equity release, speak to an adviser early.

What lenders usually ask for

Requirements vary, but these are the documents that most often help:

• the original installation paperwork, including the installer, the product and any guarantee
• a report from a specialist surveyor with spray foam experience on the condition of the roof timbers
• if the foam has been removed, a written record of the work, with photographs, and confirmation of how the roof was put back

If your installation paperwork is missing, the government advises asking the installer or the manufacturer, who should be able to supply it.

Does removing spray foam guarantee a mortgage?

No. The government's guidance is clear that removing the foam will not always guarantee a lender will lend, and that poor removal can cause further problems. Before deciding, take advice from a specialist surveyor with spray foam experience and speak to your lender.

Where removal is the right answer, how it is done matters. Open-cell foam can usually be removed by hand. Closed-cell foam is normally bonded to the roof membrane and timbers, so removing it properly means a re-roof. Our guide to removing spray foam insulation explains the difference.

If your foam was fitted under a government scheme

Spray foam installed under a government scheme since 2020 had to be fitted by a TrustMark-registered installer. If it was fitted less than six years ago and the installer is still trading, start with TrustMark's dispute resolution process. If the installer has stopped trading, contact the insurance-backed guarantee provider named in your paperwork. The government's guidance sets out each route.

Watch out for cold calls

The government has warned about cold calls and unsolicited offers to remove spray foam. You can report these to your local Trading Standards. Never agree to removal on the doorstep, and get any work quoted in writing first.

How Countrywide can help

We remove open-cell and closed-cell spray foam across England and Wales, using our own directly employed teams. One of our Senior Estimators will visit for a free estimate and give you a fixed written quote.

After the work, our in-house team prepares a written report for your lender, with photographs of what was done to your roof. We cannot promise a lender will accept it, as every lender makes its own decision, but it gives them the evidence they usually ask for.

If your foam has already been removed and you are still having problems, see spray foam removed but still have problems? To talk through your options, see our spray foam removal service or call 0800 246 5145.

Spray foam mortgage FAQs

Can I get a mortgage on a house with spray foam insulation?
Often, yes. The government lists eight lenders open to lending on spray foam homes, subject to their own requirements. Others decline, so check with your lender or a broker before you apply.

Which lenders refuse spray foam?
The HomeOwners Alliance reported in April 2026 that TSB, Skipton Building Society and Principality decline properties with spray foam. Positions change, so check the current policy.

Will removing spray foam get my mortgage approved?
Not automatically. Removal can help, but the lender still decides. Take specialist advice first.

What paperwork do lenders want?
Usually the installation paperwork and guarantee, a specialist report on the roof, and, after removal, a record of the work. See why lenders ask for spray foam removal certificates.

Is spray foam insulation banned?
No. There is no ban on spray foam in the UK. The difficulty is with lending, not the law.

Sources: GOV.UK, Spray foam insulation: Remediation, removal and lending, 22 October 2026; HomeOwners Alliance, updated 21 April 2026. Lender positions checked 13 November 2026.