Valuation survey mentions "movement"

polophonic

Hi all, I wonder (and hope!) if someone is able to give some advice on the following:

I am in the process of buying a 1930s semi. The valuation survey has observed evidence of movement in the form of minor displacement and weathering of pointing. I can see this for myself along with a series of small cracks running diagnonally down about 6 rows of bricks.

While the survey goes on to say that this appears to be long-standing, non-progressive and chances of it getting worse remote, I am concerned that movement and displacement is mentioned at all given some of the issues this can raise in insuring a house and then selling it.

I'm going to discuss this with the surveryor that performed my building survey (different person who did the lender's valuation). In the meantime I wondered if anyone else had had movement reported in their valuation survey and whether that caused any issues or problems.

Cheers!

poppysarah

Find a different house.

Unless this one is of special personal importance to you.

SleeplessinScandinavia

I once considered buying a flat on the Kent coast - and the surveyor noted some 'movement' in the structure of the building

When I discussed this issue with him on the phone, the surveyor told me it shouldn't put me off buying the flat: the building dated from the 1890s, and the 'movement' was within the 'acceptable guidelines' of the RICS.

I didn't buy the flat - more because of issues relating to the lease, rather than the survey. I'd have thought the salient point here is to find out if insurance on the building has ever been refused for any reason

Hope it works out

maninthestreet

So is the house this property is attached to also showing signs of 'movement' ?

polophonic

SleeplessinScandinavia wrote: »

I didn't buy the flat - more because of issues relating to the lease, rather than the survey. I'd have thought the salient point here is to find out if insurance on the building has ever been refused for any reason

Hope it works out

Thanks I've asked the agent to ask the vendor if movement has ever been noted on any previous survey (I doubt it as they have been there many years/decades) and if their current insurer knows about this (again I doubt it).

At the moment I'm trying to establish how much of this is immaterial *rse covering from the valuation surveyor or a potentially serious issue.

polophonic

maninthestreet wrote: »

So is the house this property is attached to also showing signs of 'movement' ?

No, I don't think so. Well, nothing has been noted/observed by anyone.

kingstreet

If the surveyor had a major issue with this, he would have recommended a structural engineer's report. You could have one yourself if concerned.

http://www.findanengineer.com/

ruggedtoast

If you declare "movement" 99% of high street insurers will pretty much put the phone down on you.

Its really up to you whether you declare it to insurers or not. If you've withheld information and you need to later claim for subsidence you could find yourself uninsured and uninsurable however.

I would call some insurers and ask them. Personally I've pulled out just before exchange when something like this came to light and I have never regretted my decision.

polophonic

ruggedtoast wrote: »

If you declare "movement" 99% of high street insurers will pretty much put the phone down on you.

That's the main issue for me. As long as the buliding surveyor is happy (and he is but I will be talking to him again), then I'm confident there will not be any issues in the future that will be caused by movement.

But the fact remains that there is a survey (a valuation) that has the words "movement" and "displacement" on them. The impression I get is that the caveats and qualifications can be irrelevant when seeking insurance. A box gets ticked and that's that!

I'm going to contact some potential insurers to find out for myself. I'd be very interested if anyone else has been through this particular issue and how it was resolved. Or not!

kingstreet

I've had clients in this position. I've sent a copy of the valuer's report to the potential insurer who has accepted it as longstanding/non-progressive there and then, or at worst has requested a structural engineer's report.

I don't remember ever seeing anyone's premium "rated" for the words you described on your valuer's report.

polophonic

kingstreet wrote: »

I've had clients in this position. I've sent a copy of the valuer's report to the potential insurer who has accepted it as longstanding/non-progressive there and then, or at worst has requested a structural engineer's report.

I don't remember ever seeing anyone's premium "rated" for the words you described on your valuer's report.

Thanks for that - that's really useful information. I'm going to contact my existing insurer plus a few others to see what effects (if any) the valuation survey will have.