Home Insurance Query

KerrBearrxo

Hi all,

So I'm in the process of buying my first house

However, I'm super stressed and I'm getting a lot of different answers from different people. So a bit of a back story - it's a mid 1980's end of terrace house and the town it's in is an old mining town so all houses are subject to movement but it's non progressive and long-standing (plus houses of that age are subject to movement anyway).

So I got my quote from my bank for something ridiculous like £390 for buildings and contents (West Yorkshire area) so I went on to some comparison sites and I've noticed they ask "The property has never shown any signs or been monitored for subsidence, landslip or heave" So I looked at the quote my Mortgage Advisor did and she put "no." Based on my valuation below from the surveyor I queried if this should be "yes" so she went direct to the insurer to ask them and sent them the valuation and they refused to insure the property!

"The property comprises a modern end terraced property situated on a development of mixed property types conveniently placed for local amenities.

The general condition of the property appears consistent with its age and type of construction, but some works of repair and maintenance are required.

Evidence of slight movement was noted for example by the deflection of the entrance door and disturbed brickwork to the front porch. From the limitations of this single inspection the movement appears longstanding with no signs of recent or ongoing movement. The likelihood of further significant movement appears remote.

Within the rear garden is a semi mature evergreen tree. This should be the subject of regular husbandry to restrict further growth.

Some older style electrical components were noted and we would, therefore, advise that all services be checked by competent trades people prior to a legal commitment to purchase being made.

The property has textured ceiling coatings. In properties of this age, such coatings could contain asbestos. Airborne fibres of asbestos are known to be hazardous to health. Removal of these coatings would require the involvement of a licensed asbestos contractor. Before carrying out any works you should obtain specialist advice."

I've read tons of posts on here where people say movement and subsidence aren't the same things so you should select NO for this question, however, the fact that the bank's insurer won't insure me based on the above valuation has worried me.

Help please???

huckster

Yes general movement and subsidence are different.

If the survey you had does not mention subsidence or any movement that needs further investigation, then you can just arrange Insurance normally answering no to subsidence. Just read the questions carefully and check assumptions for quoting.

Most Insurers will have data regarding the postcode area, so the mining risk issue may well be factored into the premiums.

Best advice is to contact a local Insurance brokers and see what quotes they come up with.

In regard to buying this house, i would check whether this porch was added later and whether it was built correctly. You do come across porches added later to properties which are poorly constructed. It might be worth having another look at this, as it might be money out of your pocket at some stage to repair the porch.

KerrBearrxo

huckster wrote: »

Yes general movement and subsidence are different.

If the survey you had does not mention subsidence or any movement that needs further investigation, then you can just arrange Insurance normally answering no to subsidence. Just read the questions carefully and check assumptions for quoting.

Most Insurers will have data regarding the postcode area, so the mining risk issue may well be factored into the premiums.

Best advice is to contact a local Insurance brokers and see what quotes they come up with.

In regard to buying this house, i would check whether this porch was added later and whether it was built correctly. You do come across porches added later to properties which are poorly constructed. It might be worth having another look at this, as it might be money out of your pocket at some stage to repair the porch.

Hi and thanks for the time you've taken to answer my query. The house was owned by the original owner from new by Taylor Wimpy and all houses along the street are the exact same style so I'm 99% sure the porch wasn't an additional build.

You are correct in regards to movement and subsidence so it's strange to me why Yorkshire Banks Insurer refuses to insure me based on "movement?"