Underpinning - what documents do I need?

nikongirl · 22 June 2017 at 6:55PM

I've found a house I really like —!lots of quirky character and somewhere I think I could see myself living for a long time. When I contacted the EA to arrange a viewing he was very up front about it having been derelict for about 25 years, bought blind at auction and then underpinned and reinforced in 2014, because there were basically no foundations, before being renovated. It's a 1930s add-on to a late Victorian terrace, on a slope and it's easy to see where the walls bow and you can tell it's sort of twisted over the years. The previous buyer pulled out after his survey (apparently incorrectly) stated there was no cavity wall. EA tells me the cavity wall had to be done to comply with building regs. The EA is trying to get a copy of that survey but doesn't hold out much hope.

I know underpinning can cause huge issues with insurance and mortgages, not to mention resale. Typically the advice is to stick with the insurer who originally paid out on the claim, but since this one was bought derelict that doesn't apply.

The underpinning and reinforcement is under guarantee for at least another 7 years. EA says there's a 25 year guarantee, but what I've seen so far says 10 years. The guarantee is underwritten, so not dependent on the survival of the company who did the work.

What documentation do I need to see to suitably convince myself, a mortgage lender and an insurer that everything is as stable as possible and not liable to fall down the second you close the door? So far I've seen the quotation for the underpinning/reinforcement and the guarantee certificate.

Also, if I were able to persuade the vendor to get a structural survey and/or structural engineer's report, would I then be able to just get a cheaper survey if I decided to buy it or would I have to get my own done?

Thanks for any advice!