new build flat, risk of subsidence

Barney1988

Hi all,

I am in the process of purchasing a new flat. The searches have picked up that there is a medium to high risk of subsidence in the area (basically it's London Clay!). My solicitor said that I may wish to consult a surveyor.
I am not too sure what a surveyor would add at this point? Clearly there are not going to be any signs of subsidence as the building is brand new. The only thing I can see a surveyor being able to do is to look at the as-built foundations if they can get access to the files (do building control release these?) and give an opinion about suitability. But in all likelihood, the foundations will be "reasonable" if building control signed-off the construction?

For background info, the property comes with the usual 10 year NHBC warranty and the builder is Bellway.

Do you have any advice? Would it be worth getting a surveyor to check the structural soundness? Or is it better to get my solicitor to focus on the building insurance provided by the management company?

Thanks

Barney

cattie

I believe practically the whole of London is built on clay soil, so anywhere in the city is going to carry such a risk. And as there are far more flats than houses in London, that makes an awful lot of owners who are pretty confident about buying the property & know that as long as buildings insurance is in place, should the unthinkable happen, the insurance company will cover the cost of any remedial work required.

I'd not be bothering with getting a surveyor in on a new property that comes with full NBHC. Save your money & put it towards your new home. The solicitor should inquire about the buildings insurance in place as a matter of course.

eddddy

It sounds to me like the solicitor is just adding his/her standard warning.

The developer's structural engineers will have tested the soil and designed suitable foundations for the building's weight. For example, there may be very deep piles.

If you are really worried, you could instruct your own structural engineer to check the original structural engineer's foundation design - based on their plans etc.

But these will have already been checked (and the foundations inspected) by structural engineers from building control and from NHBC.

In your position, I don't think I would bother.

vw100

I have a friend who recently had a full survey done on his property and the surveyor mentioned risk of subsistence because it is built on London Clay. However since the property was built in the 1930's it is unlikely to have any subsistence now. It just standard wording to protect themselves in the unlikely event of mishaps with the building structure.

With a new build they would have tested the soil and done the foundations accordingly. Also have a look at the nearby building/flats - all the purchases all prob went through the same procedures. Personally on a new build I wouldn't waste my money on structural engineer/surveyor for this issue. Worth getting your solicitor to check the building insurance as a backup.