At Ecology, we are not put off by non-standard projects; if we can see your conversion will result in a sustainable energy efficient home and, where possible, use locally sourced materials, we’ll consider lending.

We’ll look at:

• Derelict barns, cow sheds
• Redundant garages
• Windmills
• Water towers
• Churches and chapels
• Oast Houses
• Redundant pubs (public houses).

Our mortgages are available throughout the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

We’ll lend money to support the purchase of the plot and the costs of your conversion project if you are aiming for an energy performance of anywhere from an EPC B (SAP rating 85+) to EnerPHit standard.

Outline planning permission, including Class Q, or listed building consent needs to be in place to apply for the mortgage, and detailed planning needs to be granted before any mortgage funds are released.

We’ll release up to 80% of the plot purchase price or value of the property if you already own the land and subsequently, the money required to cover the build costs. As your conversion progresses, staged payments of up to 80% of your increased property value will be released in arrears – this will help you keep tabs on your budget and planning.

This type of mortgage may be suitable if you are able to make a 20% deposit for your plot and further funds to commence the early stages of the conversion. We normally recommend you begin your project with 20% of your total build budget.

Once your conversion is complete and you achieve the appropriate energy certificate, we can lower your interest rate through our C-Change discounts.

Our conversion mortgage product is on a Standard Variable Rate and our discounts are applied from the date we receive evidence that the conversion works have been completed and the energy rating required has been achieved.

As a building society with a unique mission to build a greener society, we lend on projects and properties that support our aims through their reduced impact on our environment. Making your home energy efficient is a major way you can support tackling climate change – while saving on your energy bills.

We reward borrowers whose properties are energy efficient (therefore have lower carbon emissions) with our C-Change discounts off our Variable Rate which helps them save money on their mortgage. We call our discounts ‘C-Change discounts’ simply because we’re aiming to make a ‘sea-change’ of difference to our climate with each property or project we fund.

The level of our C-Change sustainable homes or C-Change retrofit discount that applies is based on the Energy Standard rating achieved on the self-build, off-site build, renovation or conversion when the work is completed. Our C-Change energy improvements discount is based on the qualifying energy measures being installed. The discount is applied from the date we receive evidence that the work has been completed and if applicable the Energy Standard rating required has been achieved.

Does Ecology require planning permission for my conversion project?

Yes. We need at least outline planning permission to start the application process and detailed planning permission before the mortgage is released.

What information do I need to progress a mortgage application?

You’ll need to have a specific property conversion in mind which needs to be supported by detailed plans, including a breakdown of material and labour costs and an indication of the Energy Standard you are converting to. We’re currently focusing on conversions that are aiming for Passivhaus or EPC B (SAP rating 85+) or above.

What deposit do I need for my conversion project?

You need a 20% minimum deposit to buy the property and a further 15% – 20% of total conversion costs to start your project.

Do I still need a deposit for my conversion if I already own the property and have planning permission?

No, you don’t always need a deposit; we can lend based on the value of your property to start the conversion, providing you already own the property and it’s mortgage-free. Also, we can help you repay any outstanding finance on the property if you need it.

Do borrowers who are planning to convert their property need to show how they plan to improve the property’s energy efficiency?

Any project we support needs to show planning details of the proposed conversion with an indication of the Energy Standard you are converting to, and how the project costs are expected to be funded with savings and mortgage finance. We don’t just lend to purchase the property.

How long do I have to complete the conversion?

Subject to planning constraints, we allow a maximum of 2 years for you to complete the conversion, although we encourage you to complete earlier to benefit from our C-Change discount (C-Change sustainable homes or C-change energy improvement). The applicable discount is applied to our Standard Variable Rate when we receive evidence that the work has been completed and the Energy Standard rating required has been achieved.

Do you offer stage payments for a conversion?

Yes, although the Ecology conversion mortgage does not release payments at set construction milestone stages. We release funds as and when the conversion progresses and release up to a percentage of the increased value of the property.

Can I have an interest-only mortgage during the conversion phase?

We offer an interest-only mortgage only when you have a qualifying repayment vehicle to support this for example an established ISA, endowment policies or Pension Plan.

Does Ecology require a particular build warranty on completion of my conversion?

A build warranty is not a mandatory lending requirement of our mortgage and we are happy with a Building Regulation Completion Certificate. However, if you wish to take out a build warranty for the completion of the property then this is acceptable to the Society.

Does the conversion property have to be my main residence?

Yes, although we do offer a buy-to-let mortgage. Please bear in mind that we don’t offer mortgages for second homes, holiday homes or homes classed as mobile planning.