do I need a mining search?

monkeydo

Hi,
We have just had contact from our solicitor saying that one of the searches which have been made has come back recommending a mine search due to the postcode. It costs £50. I have spoke to a friend who recently bought a property a few streets down who didn't come across this search in their purchase. Does anyone know anymore about them?

kingstreet

Do you need a mortgage? Is the lender insisting on it?

Is it a former mining area, coal, or perhaps even brine?

The surveyor would normally suggest a report be obtained if the property is in a former mining area to his knowledge.

monkeydo

No the mortgage company are not insisting on it, nor did it show up in the homebuyers report. Our solicitor has had it recommended by Cornwall Consultants during one of her searches.

kingstreet

Unless you have a real concern over what might be revealed in such a search I'd view your solicitor's suggestion as simple "!!! covering" on his/her part to ensure they don't get hit for negligence in the event of not bringing it to your attention.

Your call, I'm afraid.

Werdnal

And whats the worst that can happen?


http://www.cornwallconsultants.co.uk/shaft-collapse-gunnislake.html


It is rare, but there are many shafts in Cornwall (I know I live here), which were "capped" back in the late 1800/early 1900's, by simply chucking old timbers into them until they "bridged" the hole, then filling with rubble and other rubbish. 100 odd years later, the timbers are rotting and the whole lot falls in!

I actually know of a house near us where the lounge floor started to sag and they found an old shaft under the house! Imagine coming down in the morning and finding the hole in the link above in your living room ...

Your call entirely, but as it may affect the long term value of your property, perhaps £50 outlay now might be a good investment ... ?

antrobus

Werdnal wrote: »

And whats the worst that can happen?

This?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/03/florida-sinhole-victime-dead-demolish

Werdnal

antrobus wrote: »

This?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/03/florida-sinhole-victime-dead-demolish

Thats a sinkhole in the US, a totally different animal to a man made cornish mineshaft! See photo in my link above which is much more relevant to OP's situation.

_Andy_

So you're spending tens/hundreds of thousands of pounds on the place but want to save £50? hm

mrsmchapman

Me personally if I were spending thousands on a home and a £50 survey was recommended I would do it, £50 is not a lot in the grand scheme

artbaron

£50 or this? Tough decision.

monkeydo

mining search ordered. thanks for brining me down to earth, (and not falling down a hole).