Seller did not declare underpinning

KateyG

Good Morning Everybody,

Wondered if anyone know about whether a seller has to declare if a house has been underpinned? We have recently bought a house and found access to under the house through a old coal shed door. There is evidence that its been totally underpinned. The mortgage survey/valuation did not pick anything up and the vendors never declared this (they had lived here nearly 10 years to would have known.
The solicitor uncover that a previous claimed had occured but said this was "prehistoric" (1985) he told us its nothing to worry about. The mortgage had already been approved so the mortgage company were never told. We declared this to the house insurers and sent them copies of mining reports and HIP pack and they were happy to insure.
Worried now if we came to sell how it would affect us? If we were able to pursue the seller for not declaring this would there be any benefit?
We love the house and intend to stay for at least 20 years, unless we win the lottery!
Thanks in advance for reading this, its always such a fab friendly place to get advice.:money:

maninthestreet

KateyG wrote: »

Good Morning Everybody,

Wondered if anyone know about whether a seller has to declare if a house has been underpinned? We have recently bought a house and found access to under the house through a old coal shed door. There is evidence that its been totally underpinned. The mortgage survey/valuation did not pick anything up and the vendors never declared this (they had lived here nearly 10 years to would have known.
The solicitor uncover that a previous claimed had occured but said this was "prehistoric" (1985) he told us its nothing to worry about. The mortgage had already been approved so the mortgage company were never told. We declared this to the house insurers and sent them copies of mining reports and HIP pack and they were happy to insure.
Worried now if we came to sell how it would affect us? If we were able to pursue the seller for not declaring this would there be any benefit?
We love the house and intend to stay for at least 20 years, unless we win the lottery!
Thanks in advance for reading this, its always such a fab friendly place to get advice.:money:

Vendors do not have to 'volunteer' any information, but they have to answer honestly any questions asked by the buyer. So unless you asked explicitly whether the property had been underpinned, they did not have to provide this information- CAVEAT EMPTOR applies.

clutton_2

if the house is still standing and in fine fettle after 25 years - why are you worried ?

olly300

KateyG wrote: »

Good Morning Everybody,
The mortgage survey/valuation did not pick anything up and the vendors never declared this (they had lived here nearly 10 years to would have known.

If you wanted the underpinning to be discovered then a valuation survey wouldn't have found it.

You need a full survey to find it. A valuation survey is just for the mortgage company to work out the property's value.

It's a case of you not paying out for the right survey for the age and type of property, so there is nothing for you to claim from the vendors.

Doozergirl

When you come to sell, the house might be worth a bit less but it won't really make much difference to your life in 20 years time! 45 odd years is a long time for something to have been underpinned, I doubt it would make much difference at all to anyone by that point, tbh.

martindow

I think I would be happy to find it has been underpinned. This must be better than buying a house that might need underpinning in the future.

hollydays

Why didn't you have a homebuyers survey?

KateyG

Thanks for all replies and taking time to read my question. In reply not worried about it, I have just been scared by some people who have said "you should never have been able to mortgage that with underpinning". Just a little bit annoyed that the coal shed entrance was concealed at time of viewing and survey. Who would go moving wheely bins looking for a small door!
Just heard different things from people saying, that should have been declared and others saying its really serious and unmortgagable.
Regarding a homebuyers survey, I was not clued up enough to realize there importance then, relied to much on the mortgage valuation, always thought these would pick anything serious up but obviously not! Know for next time.

mudshark

KateyG wrote: »

Just heard different things from people saying, that should have been declared and others saying its really serious and unmortgagable.
Regarding a homebuyers survey, I was not clued up enough to realize there importance then, relied to much on the mortgage valuation, always thought these would pick anything serious up but obviously not! Know for next time.

Many people repeat with gusto something they've vaguely heard from a bloke down the pub.... Must admit I'd have thought a search would have turned this up.

As for homebuyers surveys - well many think they're pointless though I've always had one just to help point out things that I might need to fix sometime.

PasturesNew

KateyG wrote: »

The solicitor uncover that a previous claimed had occured but said this was "prehistoric" (1985) he told us its nothing to worry about. The mortgage had already been approved so the mortgage company were never told. We declared this to the house insurers and sent them copies of mining reports and HIP pack and they were happy to insure.

They don't have to declare it, just answer honestly if asked.

But from the above it reads as if you knew about this before you bought it.

KateyG

Pasturesnew, yes knew there had been a claim (the solicitor uncovered this) but did not know what, the solicitor said he could delve further but advised us "not to waste money as it was nothing to worry about". The insurance broker we spoke to about the home insurance (after purchase) said that solicitor should have informed us better, as it does affect the house insurance.
Wiser now and house is still standing! :cool: