House with slight structural movement - to buy or not to buy?

steviewander

We are at the end of a house buying process almost ready to exchange contracts. However we have now found that the house is being declined by many insurers because a structural survey has detected 'longstanding' and 'very slight' structural movement which has caused a minor crack in between the mortar beneath the large front bay window. This apparently is most likely caused by tree roots and we have been advised that removing the tree will most likely stop further damage.

When we declare the findings of the survey to insurers, they are saying they won't insure it due to the movement. We have been offered insurance without subsidence cover, but that worries us. And the vendors have now said they will transfer their insurance policy to us.

I guess are main worry is being able to sell the house ourselves in the future but the structural surveyor is confident that the movement will not be a problem once the trees are removed.

What do people think, any advice?

themull1

Yes, do not buy it, there are plenty of houses out there without structural problems, buy one of those. Removing the tree could make it worse, is that really a chance you want to take?

LandyAndy

I wouldn't buy it. Owning a property presents enough problems when the property is in good condition. Why start with one that is compromised?

tanith

I agree with the others removing the tree could make matters worse and it might worsen if you leave it alone so I wouldn't like to risk it . My brother and 2 neighbours houses had to be underpinned because of tree root damage from 3 willow trees in a neighbouring park it cost the local council over 250K to insurers , but now 10yrs later there are still problems.. its really not worth risking that sort of worry.

andy.m_2

kill it, kill it with fire.
This situation wont get better only worse

TimBuckTeeth

Even with a large reduction in price I would still not buy it. Even if the problem does not get worse the problems getting insurance and selling on in the future would be a big issue and not worth the hassle and risk.

DaftyDuck

Don't buy it.... endless sleepless nights aren't worth it.

You could get into very, very deep water. If insurance is being declined, the insurance companies may have their reasons - like other houses in the area with subsidence.

There is always another "better" house if you look again.

Also, given the number of people saying "don't" shows you how hard it will be to sell it on again: none of us are buying it of you!

keystone

Theres hardly a house in the coutry that you couldn't find "very slight" stuctural movement and minor cracks on in you really wanted to and tried very hard.

Its probably been like that for a very long time and will remain in the same condition for a very long time unless its been built on top of an abandoned coal mine.

Unfortunately in this case the cat is well and truly out of the bag and having escaped, generating what sounds like a load of unstoppable and most likely unecessary, noise and dust.

There is only one answer - walk.

Cheers

Jonesya

Re. the vendors transferring their insurance cover to you.

I think if you do a search there's some sort of insurance industry scheme or agreement where the insurer at the time of subsidence discovery/claim will continue to insure the property. Presumably though they've got you somewhat over a barrel from a premium point of view as you're stuck with them.

andy.m_2

no resale value due to possible purchaser writing the same post in 1o years and getting the same answers

steviewander

Thank you for all your posts.

We are not worried about subsidence for the rest of the house. The structural engineer has said there are no signs of cracks of movement anywhere else in the house. It is localised just around the bay because apparently in the 1930s, they didn't know that they should have put foundations down the same as the rest of the house. Quite possibly the bay window doesn't have any underpinning.

The structural engineer told us that it is ridiculous that the insurance companies are acting this way, when he is confident that it isn't serious. He said the worst that can happen is the the bay falls away from the house. The most it would cost to fix is rebuilding the entire bay with proper foundations and presumably the insurance issue is no more.

I guess we're thinking long and hard about it because it is such a lovely house on such a lovely street and these houses in the right price range are hard to come by around where we live.