Previous Subsidence?

KaratePigeon

I really don't even want to open this can of worms, but is there a way of finding out if my house has had subsidence issues?

Speaking to a local person by chance, when in conversation it was mentioned what house we live in, she said oh yes the one with all the problems! Apparently she has a friend who is a structural surveyor so knows that 'about 10 years ago' they had 'awful trouble' and needed 'significant work' doing.

We bought the house 5 years ago and nothing was mentioned about this, we had no trouble with getting insurance or anything. Did only have the cheapest survey though

Without going into any details I have a really bad feeling that there is something more to this. (some worrying signs but I don't know whether they were present when we bought it, we were naive about houses )We were hoping to move house later this year, wonder if we are better off just not knowing and hope we don't get any nasty surprises if someone gets a full survey done?

Doozergirl

What do you think the signs are?

Generally, there'll be a wonkiness somewhere, but all houses move. If the house is old you wouldn't expect it to be plumb.

Windows not square, doors not fitting correctly. If it's brick you might see some repointing work.

It can all be hidden though depending on how far you take the remedy. There will certainly be house where you can't tell.

alumende27

Why don't you ask for the details of her "friend"?

What are the worrying signs?

If you're trying to sell it, perhaps it's best to ignore the ramblings of a local person. You've never had subsidence issues, you weren't aware of any when you bought and you've never claimed on your insurance.

KaratePigeon

That's why I'm reluctant to say. As it stands, we have no subsidence issues and not aware of any previously. If I start looking into it and it becomes apparent then there's no chance of us moving house any time soon I assume.

House isn't that old, built in the 1980s. Big side extension done in 2005 (which is the bit I'm concerned about). We are an end terraced, quite a steep slope away from our house.

we bought it from a couple who owned it about 18 months, the people before them had it for about 16 years and did the extension and would have owned it at the time of the problems. So no idea what was disclosed to the last owners.

Could try and ask her who her friend is but if she dealt with it in a professional capacity wouldn't it be confidential? Do I even want to know?