Survey - "some subsidence issues"

LydiaJ

I've just spoken to my surveyor who has been to do a homebuyer's report on the house I am hoping to buy. He says it is basically OK but has "some subsidence issues".

a) There is evidence of movement of the whole house, but this has been attributed to some large trees that were growing too close to the house. They were cut down 15 years ago and no further movement appears to have happened.

b) The original window frames were metal and structurally significant. They have been replaced with uPVC, which is not as strong. Reinforced lintels should have been put over the windows when they were replaced, but this has not been done. Many of the windows now have slightly bowed brickwork above them, but this seems to have happened quite soon after they were done, and there doesn't seem to have been any movement in the last 8 years since the brickwork was repointed.

Is any of this likely to affect my buildings insurance? Or resale value when I eventually sell? Should I try to negotiate a reduction in price? If so, how much?

I am currently in a rented house and if I buy the house I am intending to stay here while I have an extension built. Should I try to get new window lintels done while all the other building work is going on?

Is there anything else I should consider that I haven't thought of?

Thanks everyone.

welshy_2002

personally, I'd get a full survey to pin down the subsidance.

I'd also want the windows fixing.. So I'd be aiming to get most of this off the price of the house (unless it's rock bottom or something)

dopester

Lydia, it might not apply in your circumstances, but I had this info saved in a word document (Source: Anne Ashworth, The Times.). I was going to do a basic test of the soil of any homes I look at when being looking to buy.

Warnings that the forecast heatwave could cause subsidence came after alerts about the tide of trouble that results from flooding. Homeowners may be feeling that there are only so many puns they can take.

But homes in flood plains have suffered above-average losses in value, and subsidence can cause similar damage. Anyone who lives in a “shrinkable clay soil area” - in other words, subsidence central - should check for warning signs, such as cracks near windows. Should you have no idea whether your house is built on clay, Halifax says: “If soil can be rolled into a ball easily, it is likely to have a high clay content.”

These checks are particularly important if you are thinking of putting your home on the market, as buyers could use them as an excuse to drive down the price - which would really leave you with a sinking feeling.

Also this thread might be of interest.

Hope you get more helpful answers from people with experience on this thread (I can't really offer any knowledge as I've never bought/owned a house.)

Cannon_Fodder

brillianttripsuk wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for the work doing to get down the subsidence issues...

If you tried English, your spam might be more successful.

G_M

welshy_2002 wrote: »

personally, I'd get a full survey to pin down the subsidance.

I'd also want the windows fixing.. So I'd be aiming to get most of this off the price of the house (unless it's rock bottom or something)

A full survey will probobly add little. Will be done by the same surveyor ( or a similarly qualified surveyor).

For more insight, you'll need a Structural Engineers report.

dopester

LydiaJ wrote: »

I've just spoken to my surveyor who has been to do a homebuyer's report on the house I am hoping to buy. He says it is basically OK but has "some subsidence issues".

Did the surveyor give you any indication for what it would be worth for mortgage lending purposes? (I'm not sure if that's how it works or not.) Also I'm just bumping this thread in case someone else can add something useful.