Government policy · Published 22 October 2026
Spray foam insulation: what the government’s October 2026 paper means for you
By Jake Harber, spray foam removal adviserChecked against GOV.UK on
Quick answer
On 22 October 2026 the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published Spray foam insulation: Remediation, removal and lending. It names eight mortgage 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.
It tells homeowners to take advice from a specialist surveyor before deciding anything, warns that removing the foam does not always guarantee a lender will lend, and sets out who to contact if the foam was badly installed. It does not offer any grant or funding for removal.
Mortgages
The eight lenders the government names
“Many mortgage providers are open to lending on properties with spray foam, subject to their own requirements.”
- Nationwide
- Lloyds
- Santander
- Barclays
- NatWest
- Coventry Building Society
- The Co-operative Bank
- HSBC
What it means: these lenders will look at a spray foam home rather than turning it down because of the foam alone. It is not a promise of a mortgage. Each lender still applies its own requirements, and the paper does not say what they are. In our experience the valuer’s report and a specialist survey of the roof usually decide it.
What it does not mean: other lenders are not banned or approved by default. The government says “lenders can be added to the list at any time”. Some lenders not on it told the BBC in 2024 that they refuse spray foam homes. Our lender tracker lists every lender we have a sourced position for, with the date it was checked.
Have your paperwork ready. The paper says to “make sure you have your installation paperwork available”. If you do not have it, “you can contact either the installer or manufacturer, who should be able to provide it retrospectively.”
Before you decide
Get a specialist survey before anything else
“Before making any decision about your spray foam, you should take advice from a specialist surveyor. Only specialist surveyors experienced in spray foam application can tell you if the foam should be removed.”
The paper points to the Property Care Association’s find a specialist tool, and says to make sure your surveyor is familiar with the Spray Foam Insulation Inspection Protocol (March 2023).
That is our advice too. A survey tells you whether removal is needed at all before you pay for it, and gives your lender something in writing. Our sister service National Spray Foam Advice can arrange one.
Will removing the foam fix a mortgage problem?
“Removing the foam will not always guarantee that they will still lend, and improper removal could lead to further issues.”
The paper also says to discuss the foam with your lender. Ask them exactly what they need, whether that is a survey, removal or a report after removal, before you commit to anything. See what a removal certificate and report cover.
If it was badly installed
Who to contact about a faulty installation
The paper sets out a route based on when the foam went in and whether the installer is still trading. Start with the paperwork from the installation, which names the installer and the scheme provider.
- 1
Installed under a government scheme since 2020
These installations must have been carried out by a TrustMark-registered installer. Contact the installer and the scheme provider named in your paperwork first.
Find the business on TrustMark - 2
Under 6 years ago, installer still trading
Use the TrustMark dispute resolution process. If it is still not resolved, the paper says to contact the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman.
TrustMark complaints process - 3
Installer no longer trading
Contact your insurance-backed guarantee provider. The paper says these typically last up to 10 years. If you cannot find the guarantee paperwork, contact TrustMark.
Contact TrustMark - 4
Installed before 2020
Check whether the original installer is still trading. If not, look in your paperwork for an insurance-backed guarantee, or the name of a scheme, certification body or quality mark, and contact that organisation.
Is there a government grant for removal?
Not in this paper. It does not mention any grant, funding or government payment for spray foam removal. If someone calls to say a government scheme will pay for your removal, check it independently before you give them any details.
Grants and schemes for spray foam removalCold calls about your spray foam
The paper says the growth of the removals sector has led to “an increase in cold calls or unsolicited offers to sell or remove it.” Report these to your local Trading Standards. If you think your installer passed your details to a removal company, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Common questions
The October 2026 paper: FAQs
Which lenders did the government say will lend on spray foam homes? +
The paper published on 22 October 2026 names Nationwide, Lloyds, Santander, Barclays, NatWest, Coventry Building Society, The Co-operative Bank and HSBC as open to lending on properties with spray foam, subject to their own requirements. Lenders can be added to the list at any time.
Does being on the government list mean I will get a mortgage? +
No. The lenders apply their own requirements, which the paper does not set out. In practice the valuer’s report and a specialist survey of the roof usually decide the outcome. Tell the lender or your broker about the foam at the start.
Should I remove my spray foam? +
Not before a specialist survey. The paper says only specialist surveyors experienced in spray foam can tell you whether the foam should be removed, and that removal does not always guarantee a lender will lend. It points to surveyors familiar with the PCA Spray Foam Insulation Inspection Protocol (March 2023).
Is there a government grant to remove spray foam? +
The October 2026 paper does not mention any grant or funding for removal. Be cautious if someone calls claiming a government scheme will pay for it, and report unsolicited calls to Trading Standards.
Who do I contact if my spray foam was badly installed? +
If it was installed under a government scheme since 2020, it should have been done by a TrustMark-registered installer. Under 6 years ago with the installer still trading, use TrustMark’s dispute resolution, then the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman. If the installer has gone, contact your insurance-backed guarantee provider.
What can I do about cold calls offering spray foam removal? +
Report them to your local Trading Standards office. If you think your installer shared your details with a removal company, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Sources
- DESNZ: Spray foam insulation: Remediation, removal and lending (22 October 2026), checked 30 October 2026
- Property Care Association: Spray Foam Insulation Inspection Protocol, March 2023, checked 30 October 2026
- TrustMark: homeowner complaints process, checked 30 October 2026
Not sure what this means for your home?
Tell us what your lender or valuer has said and we will explain your options, including whether a survey is the right first step. We are paid by the removal companies and surveyors we introduce you to. That never changes the advice on this site.