Construction Types

Traditional Construction

The following are regarded as traditional construction and normal lending terms apply:

Walls

  • Cavity outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone with inner walls of brick or block.
  • Cavity outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone/blocks rendered with inner walls of brick or block
  • Timber framed property with outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone, built 1970 or after
  • Timber framed property with rendered outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone/block, built 1970 or after
  • Solid Stone

Roof

  • Tile (concrete)
  • Slate
  • Thatch (reed or straw)
  • Felt, asphalt
  • Copper, lead

Non Traditional Construction

Many properties have been built using a variety of other construction methods. Lending terms vary depending on construction types and if a repair scheme, where appropriate, has been used. Where a property is of non traditional construction please contact your usual Service Centre with the following detals for further advice:

  • The name of the type of construction
  • Year built (if known)
  • Flat/terrace/semi or detached
  • Details of any repair scheme if appropriate and if the scheme applies to the whole block (e.g. the whole terrace/both semi's)

The exact construction name is important as lending terms may differ between different types and year built. For example our lending terms differ between Gregory, Gregory Drury System 3 and Gregory Housing. All three have different lending terms and it is important to ensure you give us the  full and accurate name to avoid us giving  inappropriate advice.

Duplex Properties

The word duplex can be used to denote several property types and the circumstances for each one are shown below:

It can refer to a specific structure type e.g. Duplex Foamed Slag.

Where there are two leasehold properties each covering two storeys in a block of four storeys. These types of property are maisonettes. However, in some developments they are referred to as duplex houses/maisonettes.

These buildings can also be known in their locality by the name of "Over and Under" properties. They were built up to four or five storeys high in steep hillside terrace form, on a similar arrangement to maisonettes, with each property having ground level access. Some involved back to back arrangements. Construction is normally of stone and quality of construction varies from poor to very good.

Essentially these properties are flying freeholds, and normally would not form an acceptable security for the Society. However, the Society will accept these Duplex properties provided the following procedures are strictly adhered to:

  • Prior to valuation, the conveyancer must confirm the property is in an area covered by the West Yorkshire Act 1980.

The valuer has strict criteria to judge the acceptability of Duplex properties