House buying: 'Minor but ongoing movement and a mine shaft with 'Unknown' treatment

AnotherJoe

ocelotcat wrote: »

Should we be running away at this point?

I would appreciated any advice. This is the third property we have been in the process of buying but something seems to go wrong with every one.

Thank you!

Lace your shoes up tight and run as fast as you can

Got to feel for the owners also. But don't make it your problem, never mind your three failed attempts, at least here you dodged a bullet. imagine yourselves trying to sell in few years time.

anselld

It might be worth questioning the surveyor further to understand exactly how he has concluded that the movement is "ongoing".

It normally requires measurement of any cracks over a period of several months to establish this fact so it is difficult to see how he has concluded this on the basis of a single visit.

Also, if he is correct that it is "ongoing" then it is difficult to see how he can call this problem "minor".

It might still be worth a second opinion from a specialist structural engineer if you are still keen on the place.

ocelotcat

I think you're right, AnotherJoe; a second opinion would be good at this point. We are reluctant to spend any more money on a house we may not buy though as we have already wasted so much on surveys and solicitor fees. Also, the vendor is saying we need to exchange now basically or he is pulling out so time is suddenly an issue too. I can't think why he would do this other than force us into a rushed decision.

I think we've decided we're out now though. We're taking the rest of the weekend to think on it so we can see what the insurers say on Monday but this has been a great insight into what other people would think when we came to sell it later so thank you all for your input.

AnotherJoe

I think the owner is either going to have to let it out, or take a big loss to someone else who will BTL it.

tlc678910

Buying a house with structural problems/mine problems that is difficult to insure, remortgage and sell is not a good idea for an ordinary residential buyer.

I can't believe the seller is threatening to pull out?!

AnotherJoe

tlc678910 wrote: »

Buying a house with structural problems/mine problems that is difficult to insure, remortgage and sell is not a good idea for an ordinary residential buyer.

I can't believe the seller is threatening to pull out?!

Hoping they will be panicked into buying I guess.

davidmcn

anselld wrote: »

It might still be worth a second opinion from a specialist structural engineer if you are still keen on the place.

If there wasn't a mine shaft in the back garden, maybe! That's enough to put most people off, even if the house appeared structurally solid.

Money_saving_maniac

ocelotcat wrote: »

I think you're right, AnotherJoe; a second opinion would be good at this point. We are reluctant to spend any more money on a house we may not buy though as we have already wasted so much on surveys and solicitor fees. Also, the vendor is saying we need to exchange now basically or he is pulling out so time is suddenly an issue too. I can't think why he would do this other than force us into a rushed decision.

I think we've decided we're out now though. We're taking the rest of the weekend to think on it so we can see what the insurers say on Monday but this has been a great insight into what other people would think when we came to sell it later so thank you all for your input.

Run. Fast.

Mojisola

ocelotcat wrote: »

We were due to exchange very recently when it was revealed that there is a mine shaft in the back garden.

The report also said that the house is within the zone of influence should the mine shaft collapse but also that the risk of this is low and that the coal authority would be responsible for repairing any damage relating to mining activity.

The risk to the house may be low but what if you're in the back garden when the shaft collapses? :eek:

ocelotcat

We pulled out!! The wave of relief I felt after doing so told me that was the right thing to do. It's a great house but not worth all that risk. Your comments here really helped us to come to this decision so thank you all for taking the time to give an opinion; I'm really glad I posted this.

I noticed the house has been relisted as having evidence of 'historical' movement and with no mention of the mine shaft. Not impressed with that.

We are now in the process of buying house number four. This is the best one yet so it worked out okay in the end. It's in the middle of the countryside But then it's completely off the gas grid so comes with it's own problem of expensive electric storage heaters. Apparently we don't like to make things easy for ourselves.