Selling a House With Structural Problems: Have You Considered an Auction?

If you are trying to sell a property with structural issues or are hoping to sell an inherited residence with underlying problems, you may quickly find that this presents a challenge - at least within the conventional sales market.

There are two primary reasons a property with structural issues is hard to sell.

First, a buyer looking to purchase a home to live in may not have the knowledge or skills to manage repairs and might consider this type of project too complex to undertake.

Second, a buyer reliant on mortgage borrowing may discover that issues make it incredibly difficult to secure mortgage lending.

For most sellers, the ideal solution is to opt for a property auction, where buyers include property professionals who are well-versed in more extensive renovation projects and who will look past structural defects and see the investment opportunity presented.

Are you looking to sell a property with structural problems? Get in touch with Clive Emson today and get a FREE appraisal to find out how much you can sell your property for.

Selling a house with structural problems?.

Are you looking to sell a property with structural problems? Get in touch with Clive Emson today and get a FREE appraisal to find out how much you can sell your property for.

Key takeaways

Selling a property with structural problems, such as subsidence, pervasive damp, or asbestos, presents challenges as these issues can deter typical homebuyers and complicate the mortgage approval process.
Auctioning a property can be effective because buyers, often renovators or investors, are prepared to take on projects with defects, focusing on potential investment returns and accepting properties "as-is."
Sellers must disclose all known defects to potential buyers as these will inevitably be uncovered in property surveys, impacting the sale process and potential legal ramifications.

What exactly does structure damage mean?

Structural damage refers to the harm or deterioration affecting the core supporting elements of a building. This damage can compromise the stability and safety of the structure and typically involves key components such as:

Why Is it Hard to Sell a Property With Structural Issues?

Selling a property with structural problems is by no means impossible.. As a seller, you might be faced with a no-win scenario where you either:

Complete the repairs yourself, which can take considerable time and budget.
Reduce your selling price in light of the issues present.

Neither is likely appealing, but there are alternatives that may resolve the issue and allow you to complete the sale and move forward.

One point that is essential to make is that there is never a case for non-disclosure, and it is paramount that any prospective buyer is fully aware of the problems since these will inevitably be discovered during surveys and valuations.

It may not be as bad as you think, but always arrange a survey…

Some structural issues initially seem insurmountable but are actually easily overcome. It is, therefore, wise to review the survey results to understand the specifics of the problem and how much this will impact your options when it comes to selling.

For example, low-quality wiring may simply mean a new owner would need to budget for the cost of rewiring, whereas subsidence that impedes the structural integrity of the property, the presence of asbestos, or finding that the residence has been built on a floodplain may be a little more complex.

The nature of the structural problems and the anticipated cost of rectifying them will affect the price. Some homes are built on flood plains but sell quickly and with great interest due to their premium location - no two properties are identical.

What Are the Types of Structural Issues to Have in a House for Sale?

So much depends on the age, condition, and original construction of the house, and some structural issues are common in certain areas or are unavoidable.

As a rough indication, mortgage lenders are least likely to approve lending on properties that have:

Subsidence, particularly where the property is noticeably tilted or where the movement of the ground underneath the structure has caused movement. According to the Association of British Insurers, subsidence-related insurance claims totalled £153 million in the first half of 2025 alone, with almost 9,000 households affected - a figure the ABI links to the growing impact of climate change on clay-rich soils across the UK.
The presence of asbestos over a large proportion of the property – the material was used as insulation throughout the 1980s and is now known to be toxic.
Pervasive damp, where this has affected the underlying structure of a timber-framed home or has caused ongoing damage to the interior, render, brickwork or plaster.
Invasive plant growth especially if a species like Japanese knotweed has been left to grow uncontrolled for an extended period of time.

This list is not exhaustive, and anything that undermines the structural stability of the property, from dampness in the eaves to a leaking flat roof, might be designated as a structural issue within a surveyor’s report.

Buyers may also be less concerned with structural problems where the property is ideal for renovation or where they would be planning to strip out old décor and fixtures or demolish a dilapidated property to start a new development.

Related reading: Buying a House That Needs Renovation

"Selling houses with structural damage at auction allows for a straightforward transaction, bypassing the lengthy negotiations typical of traditional sales. Buyers at auction understand the potential and risks of such properties and come prepared to invest, making it an effective venue for these challenging sales."

Why Sell a Property With Structural Problems at Auction?

If you aren’t in a position to fix a structural problem or want to sell a property quickly, an auction is an excellent solution.

The buyer audience at a property auction is often very different from that of a private treaty listing, and the impact structural issues have may be minimal, depending on the factors we have discussed here. This is because:

Auction buyers typically have a higher risk tolerance than conventional buyers: The potential for a high return on investment can justify the risk associated with structural problems.

Auction buyers are focused on value: Many of the buyers who routinely buy properties at auction are renovators, developers or investors, and they may be less concerned with the structural condition of the property than they are with its location and potential future value.

Auction buyers are looking for market opportunities: A developer who is looking for plots of land or areas with existing permission to construct a residential home as a rental investment may perceive this as desirable, particularly in areas where open land is hard to come by or where planning rules make it very difficult to gain consent to build a residential home elsewhere.
Auction buyers have an understanding of costs: They often factor in the cost of necessary repairs, including fixing structural issues, and weigh this against the potential resale value. If the numbers work out, they might proceed despite defects. Seasoned investors and developers typically have a good understanding of construction and renovation costs.
Auction buyers accept the ‘As-Is Condition:’ Properties sold at auction are often offered "as-is," with limited opportunities for detailed inspections or appraisals that a conventional buyer would insist upon. Buyers at auctions are generally prepared to accept some level of risk associated with unknown defects.

Auction buyers know how to deal with common issues (such as asbestos): Whilst a property with asbestos may put off some prospective homebuyers , an experienced Auction buyer may be accustomed to dealing with the safe removal and disposal of asbestos and be keen to take on a property that could deliver superb long-term returns once refurbishment work is complete.
Related reading: How Do House Auctions Work?

Related reading: Selling a House at Auction in the UK

Expert Advice Selling a House With Defects

Our auction teams have years of expertise in marketing properties for auction sale with varied issues or defects and are on hand to offer guidance at any stage, whether you'd like to review our recently completed auctions to see how other similar properties have performed or would like an independent appraisal.

Please get in touch to discuss your property sale today, and we will be happy to offer our independent advice about the amount you might reasonably expect to achieve at auction. Find out more about selling a house by auction here.

Related reading: The Auction Legal Pack | Buyers Fees

Ready to Sell a Property With Structural Problems?

Selling a house with structural problems does not have to mean accepting a significant undervalue or waiting months for the right buyer. At Clive Emson, our specialist auction teams advise sellers across the South of England every day on exactly these situations. To find out how much your property could achieve at auction, call us on 0345 8500333, email auctions@cliveemson.co.uk, or request a free independent appraisal online. We will be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to sell a house with structural problems?

It can be challenging to sell a house with structural problems through the conventional market, primarily because mortgage lenders are reluctant to approve lending on properties with significant defects such as subsidence, asbestos or pervasive damp. However, selling at auction is a practical alternative. Auction buyers typically include experienced investors and developers who are comfortable working with structural issues and will assess a property on its potential rather than its current condition.

Do you have to declare structural problems when selling a house?

Yes. Sellers are legally required to disclose all known material defects, including structural problems, to prospective buyers. Failure to do so can result in legal action after completion. Any issues are also very likely to be identified during a survey or valuation, so non-disclosure is never advisable.

What is the most common reason a property fails to sell?

Properties commonly fail to sell when they are priced above market value, when significant defects put off mortgage-dependent buyers, or when the property has a narrow appeal to the general market. Properties with structural problems often fall into the second and third categories. An auction setting removes many of these barriers, as the buyer pool includes cash buyers and experienced investors.

Is it hard to sell a house that has had subsidence?

Subsidence can make a property very difficult to sell through a traditional estate agent, as most mortgage lenders will refuse to lend on a property with active or unresolved subsidence. Where subsidence has been stabilised and professionally remediated, it may be easier to sell with the right evidence and documentation. For properties where subsidence remains an issue, selling at auction tends to attract buyers who are specifically looking for development or renovation opportunities and are comfortable working with ground movement history.

Can you sell a house with structural problems without fixing them first?

Yes, you can sell a house with structural problems without making repairs beforehand, and in many cases this is the most practical approach. At auction, properties are typically offered "as-is," which means the buyer accepts the property in its current condition. This removes the need for sellers to fund potentially significant repair works prior to sale. The key obligation is full and transparent disclosure of all known issues.

So, if you are thinking of selling your property at auction or have any questions about the process, then please call us on 0345 8500333 or complete the online form below for a free independent appraisal.