House insurance query - render crack

lynsco

Hi all, 3 years ago I bought a concrete no fines property (yes am aware of some peoples opinions on these!) anyway, on the home report that the sellers had done there were no major issues, the only things that flagged up were to upgrade the electricals and demolish the hut! On the last page of the report the surveyor has ticked the box to say there was structural movement (long standing & non progressive) but in the actual report there was no requirement to do anything regarding the property. When we came to insure we informed the insurers and they are charging us £400 a year to insure. I had a roughcaster round to look at the house for a quote (he lives down the road exactly same type of house) and the only evidence of movement he can see is a vertical crack in the render on the front of the house under the window - according to him he had similar cracks in the render his property and doesnt see an issue nor why I'm declaring it to insurers - his reasoning is that if the crack was structural it would be showing on the inner wall as well since the property has a 1 thickness wall if that makes sense? The crack is about 1mm thick in the render and is the same width all the way. I dont want to risk not declaring it to the insurance company just incase but at the same time my friends houses are costing them significantly less to insure and I am wondering if I should look further into this crack. If so what would the best option be? A survey? Someone to come and remove the render on that part of the wall and fix it? I am unsure what is the best way forward financially and practically and would appreciate any advice as this is my first house.

huckster

Render does crack. Just get a builder in to re-do this or take it off yourself and re-do. You can check underneath when you are doing so.

From what I have seen of some render cracks, it is a case of water getting underneath,

Properties are naturally subject to movement and subject to small cracks. If you were advised by a surveyor that it was subsidence, ground heave or landslip or the building had some major defect, it would be a diffent matter. Then you would have to advise Insurers.

lynsco

Do you think I have been over careful? Thanks for your reply!

huckster

lynsco wrote: »

Do you think I have been over careful? Thanks for your reply!

Yes. As a normal consumer, you can only answer questions asked by Insurers based on your knowledge. As you are not qualified as a surveyor, builder or structural engineer, you can only go on what you have been told by those qualified. I am sure that if you had a large crack in the house, you would have investigated and phoned Insurers to make a claim.

Quentin

As you already declared movement this will be recorded and remain "against" you, and continue to result in premium loading for ever more.

Might be worth speaking to the surveyor who reported it to see if you can do anything about removing it from your record or if it is material.

lynsco

Well I did what I thought was best to keep me right, maybe I was a bit naive

lynsco

Also what do you mean my record?

Quentin

lynsco wrote: »

Also what do you mean my record?

The record of your disclosures/declarations.