PRC stands for “Precast Reinforced Concrete” It is a type of construction technique used for building houses and other structures. PRC houses were built in the UK between the 1940s and the 1980s to address the housing shortage after World War II. They were designed to be quick and cheap to construct, using prefabricated concrete panels that were assembled on-site, often by unskilled workers.
These prefab houses were built with a precast concrete frame and reinforced concrete panels, which were cast off-site and transported to the construction site for assembly. The construction technique allowed for rapid construction, as the panels could be erected quickly and easily. The design was intended to provide modern, comfortable housing at an affordable cost.
However, PRC houses have been found to have various defects, including poor insulation, dampness, and structural issues. Some of these issues are caused by the use of poor-quality materials, inadequate design, and lack of maintenance. As a result, many PRC houses have been designated as defective and require significant repair work to make them habitable.
There are some lenders offering concrete house mortgages, but many need the structural issues to be fixed.
In 1984 The Housing Defects Act established a program to address these defects in PRC houses, which offered funding to homeowners to repair or replace their defective homes. The program has since been closed, and homeowners with PRC houses are now required to find funding for repair or replacement on their own.
Consequently, lenders are generally unwilling to lend against these non-standard construction properties unless remedial work has been completed and a PRC Certificate issued.
