Confussed by Homecheck/search

Glover1862

I've had a environmental search back and it identified a subsidence risk, although it is classed as moderate, solicitors advised that I let my surveyer/mortgage company and check if insurance will be provided on standard terms.

I looked at Homecheck Website who provided the search data and they have three categories low/medium/high and the property is low, if low is the starting point why have the solicitors made a point of it? I don't want to start contacting mortgage insurance etc as it will cause delay, surly every property will have at least moderate/low risk. House is in Luton if it helps? Should I be worried ?

Richard_Webster

I think you will find that the people who carry out the search look at the general type of soil/geology for the area and then classify as high/medium/low subsidence risk. They do not seem to check actual records of subsidence in the locality.

For instance there is one road in Southampton that is so bad that the Council will not allow any building without expensive geotechnical surveys. 30 years ago several properties were written off when they began to slip down a hillside. However a basic Homecheck search shows the postcode only as "medium risk".

You are really better off taking the advice of a local surveyor as to whether the area is known for subsidence.

Glover1862

Richard_Webster wrote: »

I think you will find that the people who carry out the search look at the general type of soil/geology for the area and then classify as high/medium/low subsidence risk. They do not seem to check actual records of subsidence in the locality.

For instance there is one road in Southampton that is so bad that the Council will not allow any building without expensive geotechnical surveys. 30 years ago several properties were written off when they began to slip down a hillside. However a basic Homecheck search shows the postcode only as "medium risk".

You are really better off taking the advice of a local surveyor as to whether the area is known for subsidence.

Thanks, the house was built in the 1988 and not had any history of subsidence, I just thought I'd ask the question here as it seemed odd that being identified as low risk they still advised getting it checked further, I suppose they need to cover themselves. I,ve put my current property in home check and its come up as a medium risk, never came up as an issue when buying my house. Seems a bit hit and miss with these searches, as far as I can tell they're not worth anything if you have to get everything checked by a surveyor.

It's such a basic three bed mid terrest which is to be let, seems fine to me and the mortgage valuation didn't identified anything, I was thinking of not having a home buyers survey done as so many caveats, might have it done now.

Mallotum_X

Out of interest where about in Luton is it. The town doesn't have general issue with subsidence, but there may be something specific to the area.

Glover1862

Mallotum_X wrote: »

Out of interest where about in Luton is it. The town doesn't have general issue with subsidence, but there may be something specific to the area.

It's in Luton LU1 which is Farly Hill area, Dunsmore Road End.


The Search just identified - natural ground instability in the area within 50m of the property.


I've checked with my limited knowledge and no signs of movement, owner has stated no previous issues and with low risk I'm thinking I might risk it and save the £350 for a home buyers survey.

Mallotum_X

I don't know Farley hill in detail, but it's a long established area, that was open farmland before the estates were built. I guess there's a chance of old clay pits from early brick making, it's also on chalk and there is the possibility of sink holes over chalk. However I'm not aware of either.

Ultimately it's your decision but it wouldn't be something I would be anticipating as a realistic risk.