Structural Movement and Underpinning

Jonny_B_3

Thanks for that. I'm waiting for the survey results back and then I'l start asking some questions. Hopefully the current insurers will keep us on. If they don't the vendors will never be able to sell their house.

£300 sounds a bit better!

scope

Remember it might cause problems when selling the house.. Many people would not touch houses that has had problems in the past..

Jonny_B_3

I know, thats mainly what I'm worried about.

Jonny_B_3

Just found the building regs for the underpinning on the council website. It says it was to the rear extension, not the main house which makes me feel a bit better.

Jonny_B_3

Got the surveyors report yesterday:

"There is evidence of previous structural repair with a vertical crack.....this is close to an existing soil vent and we understand from the vendor that the cause of this movement was a leaking drain in the area of the present manhole cover. I essence the two story extension was starting to move away with a widening of the crack towards the top of the building. The crack which has formed has been repointed and we understand that this area of the property was underpinned as part of an insurance claim. I saw nothing to suggest ongoing movement in this area."

I feel a lot better knowing they found the cause and it was a leak rather than clay subsidence.

boogaloo2u

Hi Jonny B,

I Googled 'underpinned house purchse' and found your thread. I am in a very similar situation and wanted to know the result of your house purchase and coping with insurance et??
Any advice would be really appreciated as this would be my first house!!

Thank you.

you_wot!

Hi all
Just wondered if anyone could help me with this query.

Does underpinning have to be declared by the seller or Estate Agent?

I only ask, as when I moved into my property over 10 years ago I only had a Homebuyers Report carried out and not a full Structural Survey.
This report found all ok. Recently I've been told by neighbours that they recall underpinning work being done about 6 years before I moved in.

I'm now wishing I'd paid out for the full survey now!

Thanks for any answers in advance.

Fire_Fox

AFAIK the vendors or estate agents don't have to disclose anything, unless you or your conveyancing solicitor ask. Check all your paperwork to see if this was raised.

mamievan

Thank God for this site, I went to see a lovely property this morning. Bad news is that the front corner needs underpinning. A structural engineer has done a survey and both the vendor and the Estate Agents have been completely open about the situation. It's such a shame because it's a fantastic property. 1930's detached with a big front and back garden and it's never been touched. £99,950 and they would probably take £75000! The insurance and selling on situation though would swallow up any profit I could make from it.

You live and learn and get really disappointed sometimes, I suppose.

Smgawt

Hi all, first time posting on here, just wanted some advice.

Me and my partner are first time buyers, we have seen an amazing house in a perfect location for 81,500. The house is an end terrace,at the bottom of a hill, we went to view it and all went well until the EA said it had been underpinned. Myself and my partner are already "lost" in the jargon that is buying your first home.

The houses in the same street are for sale at a higher price that the underpinned one, i requested to see the paperwork on Wednesday for how long the guarantee is for. I also understand that it will be harder to sell (however , at that price in a popular village area, i cant see it making a huge loss). Just to give you an idea we went to see another terrace on the same street with an extra bedroom at 101,500. The seller of the 81,500 wants a quick sale, would this worry you that further damage may occur? Thanks guys.