Mine Entry

sparky26

Hi, just wanted a bit of advice from the forum here.

I am a first time buyer at 25 I have recently had an offer accepted on a property, had the mortgage accepted, money offered etc and now everything is with the solicitors.

They have just done a mining report and this has shown that there is a mine entry at the top of the garden (within 20m of the property).
There are probably about 3 houses which will be within that radius of the entry as well.

I am now slightly worried as I'm not exactly swamped in knowledge of mine entries.

This is our ideal house and I feel we got it at a very good price, however, I'm now thinking either a) should we walk away and have a look at other properties and lose all the money we have already spent on this or b) the house has been there since 1900 and its still standing so what is the likelihood of anything going wrong.

Im also thinking of contacting the coal authority and seeing if they will come out and do an inspection before I sign on the dotted line.

Any advise is much appreciated?

Thanks

moosepaw

Which area are you?, no the coal authority wont do an inspection.

The mine shaft/tunnel will have long been filled in.

Any settlement would have occured by now ,and if the house has stood since 1900 during the mines operation(when the would have been subsidence) then you dont need to worry.

sparky26

We are in Derbyshire.

I have read on the Coal Authority website that you can book an inspection with them.

I've read some bad forums where people have their house "sitting on" a mine entry and they have been advised to walk away but not sure whether the fact it is right at the top of the garden should be of concern...

moosepaw

If you tell me the colliery that is was. Then i can tell you if the shafts were simply capped or filled completely.

maninthestreet

Have you tried to getting a quote for buildings insurance on that property?

sparky26

Thats my next task, is it difficult to get buildings insurance on a property that has a mine entry next to it?

I can give you the postcode if that would help you on the colliery side?

Thanks for the replies so far

moosepaw

Sparky yes the postcode would be good, you can send it private message if you dont wish for it to appear on here.

I had a house near one in the black country and it didnt have any effect on the price

You really have nothing to worry about once the site has been cleared etc

sparky26

I have PM'd you the postal code if you could have a look as you probably know where to look. I have just had the following back from the estate agent:

"I've had a chat to the vendors regarding the mine entry. There is/was a ventilation shaft in the garden and over 20 years ago it did open up. It was approx 2ft x 2ft wide and according to the vendor the mining board/council did come out to this and subsequently filled it with tonnes of hardcore and capped it with 3ft of concrete - since doing this they have never had any problems with it. "

The vendor does have pictures to prove this has all been done and is looking to see if there is any paperwork related to this available"

Hopefully this will all look ok when I get the details

Thanks

warehouse

If it's causing you concern then it will cause future buyers concern. Bite the bullet and walk away.

moosepaw

Thanks for the postcode.

That was a relatively shallow pit and closed quite some time ago. As the ventilation shaft has been filled then capped after opening up(this would have been due to settlement) then you should be fine.

The main pit shafts were all hardcore filled but some settlement did occur.

As the house was there before and after the mine you will be fine:)

relentless12

Hi Moosepaw
I am wondering if you could give me advise on the mine entry I have in a property I am looking to buy ?

~It is in Rutherglen just outside Glasgow where there has been mining activity, I have asked for a mining report , but have been told that the report will not include detail of in-filling and capping ?

help