Can Spray Foam Insulation Affect Your Mortgage?

If you’re applying for a mortgage, remortgaging your home, or trying to release equity — the last thing you want is a hidden issue slowing things down.

Unfortunately, for thousands of homeowners across the UK, spray foam insulation in the loft has become a common stumbling block.

Let’s look at why lenders are cautious about it, what problems it causes during valuations, and how to avoid your application being delayed — or declined.

Why Do Mortgage Lenders Dislike Spray Foam?

Most of the concern comes down to one thing: risk.

Spray foam — particularly closed-cell foam — seals the loft space so tightly that surveyors can’t assess the condition of the roof timbers. If the foam hides rot, damp, or poor ventilation, the lender is exposed to potential structural issues they can’t verify.

As a result:

• Surveyors downgrade their reports or recommend removal
• Lenders may withdraw mortgage offers
• Equity release providers may refuse to proceed entirely

Even if your roof is sound, many lenders now have a blanket policy against homes with spray foam in the loft.

Real-World Mortgage Problems We Hear

• “The bank said no because the surveyor couldn’t inspect the rafters.”
• “We had a buyer lined up — then their lender rejected the property due to the foam.”
• “We had no idea it was an issue until the remortgage valuation came back.”

We hear variations of this every week. And in almost every case, the homeowner installed the spray foam years ago — not knowing it would become a red flag.

Can This Be Fixed?

Yes — but the spray foam usually needs to be removed first.

At Snug & Secure, we remove spray foam insulation from lofts without damaging the roof structure. We then reinsulate the space with breathable, lender-friendly materials that meet current UK standards.

Most importantly, we provide:

• Full before-and-after photos
• A certificate of removal
• Written confirmation that the loft is now breathable and accessible

These are the kinds of documents surveyors and mortgage lenders ask for.

Is It Just Mortgages Affected?

No — this also applies to:

• Remortgages
• Equity release
• Home equity loans
• Some home insurance policies
• And even estate agent sales (as foam becomes a legal disclosure issue)

If spray foam is mentioned in the HomeBuyer Report, buyers may pull out unless removal is arranged beforehand.

Final Thoughts

Spray foam can absolutely affect your mortgage — and in some cases, it can prevent the deal from happening altogether.

If you're planning to sell, remortgage, or apply for equity release, it’s worth addressing the issue before you get too far into the process.

Contact us for a no-obligation assessment, or learn more about the process on our spray foam removal page. You can also check our blog for more advice on making your home mortgage-ready.