Buying on Infilled Land

BKD1972

Just got the searches back on our top floor apartment purchase.

Under ground stability it says identified. It then goes on to say maps suggest the property is located on a previous pond, quarry, mine, landfill or other hole in the land. These land cavities are often filled in with various materials and this can cause structural problems although such events are rare.

It says 1890 an unspecified quarry and then 1938 a refuse heap.

Now I’m concerned. Not sure whether to proceed or not. Mortgage approved.

What do others think?

Rosieandjim

I used to live in a house that was built on an infilled tip. My parents were always warned not to buy because of this. However, the houses have been standing since after the war when built and none of them have ever had problems with subsidence.


Another estate over the other side of town was built in the 80s on another infilled Tip and at present a row of houses are all subsiding and have been sold to builders at auction who have had to dig and strengthen the foundations.


My only advice is to ask around the area if anyone has had to claim or maybe contact insurance companies and ask if they are aware of any subsidence in the area. There really is no way of predicting whether it will happen or not.

BKD1972

I guess it’s pot luck. It might move, it might not.

Would I ask my solicitor to try find out from the management company etc?

Cakeguts

Is there anything else for sale that doesn't have these problems?

BKD1972

Cakeguts wrote: »

Is there anything else for sale that doesn't have these problems?

Don’t know. You never know these things until searches, do you.

Rosieandjim

It is a difficult one as the freeholder is the one who has to insure the outside of the building( I think) you are only responsible for the inside.


Is this useful I have not read it but found it googling


http://www.flat-living.co.uk/advice/575-has-your-block-got-subsidence

Cakeguts

BKD1972 wrote: »

Don’t know. You never know these things until searches, do you.

Sometimes you can get an idea from the price of the property that it might be a bit more difficult to sell.

AdrianC

How long has the building itself been there? What's around it?

GDB2222

If it's the same price as one that's not built on a quarry, I would not buy it. You're on a hiding to nothing.

BKD1972

AdrianC wrote: »

How long has the building itself been there? What's around it?

The block was built in 2004.

Another 48 properties mostly apartment blocks. Only the one I’m buying in is in the brownfield bit. It’s an old industrial area further afield.

Tried to post an image but couldn’t

BKD1972

GDB2222 wrote: »

If it's the same price as one that's not built on a quarry, I would not buy it. You're on a hiding to nothing.

5k cheaper than one not built on the quarry and mines top floor, that’s middle floor.