Cracks all over internal and external walls. Structural issues or settling down cracks?

Homebuyer_londonNW

You are absolutely right. This looks like a bargain with something to hide or even the vendors are not even aware of the situation hence calling it a settlement.

Homebuyer_londonNW

Thanks this makes too much sense. Now the call is to either withdraw without spending a fortune on survey and structural report or get a structural engineer to look at it.

Homebuyer_londonNW

Pics link

Go to Dropbox website and add the following bit in url at the end after ‘/‘

sh/7tu9yi475pw1lde/AADoZ194cFwVPaFmjrUN0i9na?dl=0

Please remove the spaces between the link.

It wasn’t allowing me to upload the pics...as per suggestion did such trick to be able to post links. Sorry for so much trouble

Tom99

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7tu9yi475pw1lde/AADoZ194cFwVPaFmjrUN0i9na?dl=0

Homebuyer_londonNW

Thanks so much for posting the link correctly for me @Tom99.

Everyone the link that @Tom99 has posted are the pics of the house in question.

Kindly let me know if the cracks are definitely structural and if the tree will cause further damage from its roots.

AdrianC

That's a big chunk more than just minor settlement. Walk away.

Slithery

That isn't a crack in the skirting board, it's just where 2 short pieces have been joined together (not very well)

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I would walk away.

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I doubt even a survey by a structural engineer would give you a definitive answer.

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The cracks are all quite small in width but extensive in length and number, and if no further movement could be guaranteed look like they could be raked out and filled in.

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The problem is you do not know how long these cracks have been there, how quickly they have developed, nor whether they will get worse over time.

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A survey is likely to recommend monitoring the cracks over time before deciding what repair to suggest and maybe reduce the height of the tree.

[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Also since the cracks are already there you may have trouble insuring the building.[/FONT]

Tiglet2

I am no expert and there does seem to be a lot of cracks.

However, my thoughts are that the house is 12 years old and the owners appear not to have repaired any of the cracks in that time. None of the cracks are very wide - I believe cracks that you can get your finger into are the ones which are most likely subsidence or heave, especially diagonal ones in the corners of windows. Stepped cracks are a sign of minor movement, but it's the ones which crack the entire brick through the centre that a major concern.

I don't know what type of tree that is, but my understanding would be that it is too close to the house and I think it should come down (which can cause heave, due to extra water in the ground).

If you are still keen on the property, you should consider employing a structural engineer/buildings expert to have a look and explain to them your concerns and what you want them to investigate.

I_Kantski

Run for your life. That's way too many cracks for you to ever have peace of mind while living there.