Spray foam insulation ruined our house sale

Homeowners say they feel “betrayed” and “conned” after struggling to sell their properties due to spray foam insulation fitted under a government scheme.

More than 160 people got in touch after BBC research found that a quarter of the UK’s biggest lenders are refusing homes where spray foam is found in the roof space.

Robbie Anderson told the BBC he felt “taken advantage of” after his house sale fell through despite having the insulation fitted under the previous government’s Green Homes Grant scheme.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon has written to the energy secretary calling for “decisive action”, while the Department for Energy Security has said it is consulting with lenders.

Estimates suggest as many as 250,000 homes in the UK have this type of insulation, with some of it installed under the previous government’s official scheme.

The Green Homes Grant scheme, which ran in England, saw installations completely subsidised for those on certain benefits.

But some of the UK’s biggest mortgage firms are reluctant to deal with homes with spray foam insulation due to concerns over poor fittings leaving moisture trapped and roof timbers at risk of decay.

Industry experts have told the BBC spray foam is an effective insulator if fitted properly, and urgent action is needed to stop panicked homeowners needlessly turning to “cowboy” removal companies.