Does Homebuyer's report look at subsidence risks?

pink_taggie

Hi everyone,

Wonder if someone could give me some advice on this. I am pretty desperate as I would need to tell my insurance company if there is a possible subsidence in my property. (and pretty broke!)

I bought my house in 2006 through mortgage lender Barclays (Woolwich at the time). They arranged someone to do a homefile 2 homebuyer's report which doesn't mention any subsidence. Do you know whether a homebuyer's report should report any subsidence they see?

Now I started to worry about the cracks in our conservatory, although it's not getting worst from what I see but I started to notice garden is sinking slowly - I can see the patio dont look as even as before!

Do you think I can ask my insurance company to look at the possible issue with subsidence or even claim? Or it is my responsibility to find a building surveyor to investigate since I never had a full building survey report?

Any advise on finding a good building surveyor? How much do you think it will cost to fix the "sinking" problem?

Many thanks in advance!

pink_taggie

Forgot to mention the previous owner filled up the cracks with fillers before which I never noticed - I never really look! Now the cracks are open again probably crack a bit further as parts arent filled!

Quentin

Don't mention "subsidence" to your insurer until you are pretty certain you have it! Do your own investigation first.

FlameCloud

Is the damage contained exclusively to the conservatory? Relative to the main house, are the cracks opening up away from the house?

pink_taggie

Hi, thanks for the replies.

Yes, damage seem to be contained exclusively to the conservatory.

So who will I have to contact to carry out this investigation? Will it be a full building survey report I need from a surveyor? Do you think I can claim if confirmed?

pink_taggie

Quentin wrote: »

Don't mention "subsidence" to your insurer until you are pretty certain you have it! Do your own investigation first.

Is it really a bad thing? If I tell them I suspect subsidence then they will investigate for me no? If there is a probably I have to claim anyway to fix the problem no?

forgotmyname

They could say yes its subsiding but you didnt declare this when taking out the policy and it's been happening for a long time not a sudden incident so not covered.

If its just the conservatory then it maybe an easy fix. Although if money is the issue you may need to just take it down.

*Scarlett

Subsidence is like a profanity to insurers

If you want to claim under your insurance for the conservatory then you possibly can but be aware that this will affect your ability to get mainstream insurance for the next 10 - 25 years.

All insurers will ask about subsidence claims (and any cracking) within a certain time period and a recent claim will certainly restrict your options.

If the main house was not affected then you might be better just taking the conservatory down - perhaps due to poor workmanship.

You can of course proceed with the claim but maybe try to get a few fake insurance quotes with a subsidence claim of £10 or £20k (don't know how much a conservatory costs!) to let you know how this will affect you.

You might find yourself tied to the same insurer (possibly with inflated premiums) for many years. Although there are specialsts who cover subsidence.

bryanb

Is the conservatory cowboy built?

FlameCloud

If its just the conservatory and not the house I'd bet money on it being the strip foundations not being sufficient.

As others have said, a subs claim will severely affect your ability to transfer your cover each year. Also, if costs are an issue don't forget there's usually a £1,000 policy excess, if not more.

pink_taggie

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I dont know who built the conservatory as it was already there when we bought the house but I know it was built in 1999 so it is only about 14 years old.

I think I might leave it as it is, hopefully it will stay up /no leak for many more years! Fingers crossed!

Once our debts/loans are paid (hopefully the next couple of years), we should able to start saving up for rebuild!