The government confirmed in March 2025 that there is no government financial assistance for homeowners to have spray foam insulation removed1. Where spray foam has been incorrectly installed, it advised that homeowners are entitled to remediation by their installer or through an insurance-backed guarantee, and that those who cannot resolve the issue with their installer can contact TrustMark for further help1.
Spray foam insulation was one of the measures covered by the government's Green Homes Grant scheme, which closed in March 2022 and covered up to two-thirds of the cost of works to improve the energy efficiency of homes1. It comes in two forms: open cell, which remains soft after setting and is less prone to condensation but less dense, and closed cell, which is rigid once set, insulates better but acts as a vapour barrier that can reduce ventilation1. If installed incorrectly or used inappropriately, it can reduce air circulation in a roof space, lead to dampness and condensation on the underside of a roof, and put timber-framed roofs at risk of decay1. Removal is difficult and costly: Checkatrade's estimate for removing spray foam from the roof of a three-bedroom detached house is around £3,200, or £40 per square metre1.
The lending picture is the reason many households encounter the issue. In November 2024, the BBC reported that a quarter of the UK's biggest mortgage providers and all of the equity release lenders it surveyed would not lend against homes with spray foam insulation in the roof1. In a letter to the government in May 2025, the Property Care Association (PCA) and the Home Owners Alliance (HOA) said 35% of properties had one or more defect as a result of spray foam insulation, based on inspections at over 500 properties1. The government said in June 2025 that it is engaging with lenders to seek a resolution for those facing difficulties, and has stated that where spray foam insulation has been installed in line with the relevant standards, it should not require removal or prevent homeowners obtaining a mortgage1.
"there is no government financial assistance for homeowners to have spray foam insulation removed"
Industry guidance has developed in stages. In November 2021, the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) and PCA published guidance that was withdrawn in October 2022 for a "full review"1. In March 2023, the PCA published an inspection protocol for surveyors to help them assess spray foam risks inside pitched roofs, and in May 2023 the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) published a code of practice for the installation of spray foam insulation in roofs1. The IMA produced further guidance in October 20241. In February 2025, the PCA and HOA called on the government to consider whether spray foam insulation should continue to be included within government schemes1.
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| November 2021 | RPSA and PCA publish guidance, later withdrawn |
| March 2022 | Green Homes Grant scheme closes |
| October 2022 | Guidance withdrawn for a "full review" |
| March 2023 | PCA inspection protocol for surveyors |
| May 2023 | IMA code of practice for roof installations |
| October 2024 | IMA further guidance published |
| February 2025 | PCA and HOA call for a review of scheme inclusion |
| March 2025 | Government confirms no financial assistance for removal |
Why it matters for households
For a household, the practical effect is that the cost of putting a spray foam problem right sits with the owner. The government's position is that remediation is owed by the installer or through an insurance-backed guarantee, so the paperwork from the original job carries real weight: the RICS advises keeping it to assist if the property is sold or remortgaged, including independent test certificates awarded to spray foam products by bodies such as the British Board of Agrement1. Where paperwork is missing, homeowners are advised to contact their installer or the product manufacturer1. All works completed under government energy efficiency schemes have to be undertaken by a TrustMark-registered installer1.
The wider consequence is for a home's energy independence. Insulation that lenders will not lend against, or that a surveyor cannot inspect, can hold back a sale or a remortgage, which in turn affects the money available for further efficiency work. The government has acknowledged that the wider consumer protection system for government energy efficiency schemes needs reform and has committed to improve it through the Warm Homes Plan1. It has also said it does not recommend specific insulation solutions, and that under any government energy efficiency scheme the insulation installed should be determined by a property-specific assessment conducted by a qualified professional1.
What happens next
The government said in June 2025 that it is engaging with lenders to seek a resolution for those facing difficulties1. No timetable for that work, and no outcome, has been reported. The PCA and HOA request that ministers consider whether spray foam should remain within government schemes, made in February 2025, has not been answered in the material available1.
Sources1 cited
- Spray foam insulation and mortgages - House of Commons Library, commonslibrary.parliament.uk