RAAC

What should you give a lender who asks whether the building contains RAAC?

Give them the surveyor’s words and, if RAAC is present or suspected, the structural engineer’s assessment. Do not answer “no” because you did not like the question, and do not answer “yes” because the building is old. IStructE says that if the construction is unclear it should be inspected, and that if RAAC planks are present a chartered or incorporated structural engineer should determine their condition.

Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.

What is the fuller explanation?

Lenders set their own criteria. This page does not know them and will not invent a refusal rate. What you can do is be accurate. A timber roof described as timber is a “no” to RAAC if the surveyor saw timber. An unseen concrete deck is “not established”, which is an honest answer, followed by the inspection IStructE describes if the building is of the relevant period and type.

The home survey is the condition report you commissioned. The valuation is the lender’s. If they conflict, ask the lender what they need rather than editing the survey. An engineer’s letter is the document that usually unlocks the question. Ask the engineer to state whether panels are RAAC and what condition they found, in words a lender can file.

What should you ask your surveyor?

What construction will you stand behind in writing?
What is still not identified?
Would an engineer’s inspection change your comment?

What are the typical next steps?

Answer the lender with the report, not with a guess.
If the deck is unknown, commission the identification before you answer “no”.
If RAAC is confirmed, send the engineer’s assessment. Do not send only the survey sentence.

Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.

Also asked about this

Can the freeholder’s letter replace an engineer?

A letter that encloses an engineer’s assessment is useful. A letter that only says “we have no reports” means you still do not know. Ask what they have actually had inspected.

Does RAAC in a bin store mean the flat roof is RAAC?

Not automatically. Different parts of a block can be different. Ask about the roof over your flat.