Survey results...

tgon

Valuation for my potential purchase has come back recommending a full engineering survey, a tree report (from neighbouring trees) and a drains test. The vendor has a guarantee and structural report from work carried out 6 months ago when the problem was first highlighted.

Dilemma:
1. Ask vendor to provide all reports and see if mortgage company is okay in lending against it?
2. What is my future insurance risk likely to be?
3. Would these issues affect an onward sale in years to come?
4. Is there a potential legal situation brewing from neighbours trees?
5. Walk away now?

Help, please!!

Debt_Free_Chick

Potential subsidence issue due to trees.

Speak to your solicitor

Doozergirl

I'd take that guarantee and structural report and talk to a structural engineer anyway.

You need to establish what the problem was , if was easily remedied etc. An expert will help you with all the answers specific to your case. Some cases of subsidence are quite straightforward and if they are easily fixed, you'll have the most secure house on the street

guppy

Doozergirl wrote: »

Some cases of subsidence are quite straightforward and if they are easily fixed, you'll have the most secure house on the street

I agree with the above, but unfortunately not all buyers are so enlightened, if you have structural work done it will come up if you need to sell again, and some people will be put off. It can also mean hassle with insurance companies etc. as soon as the "s" word is mentioned.

Everything has its price though, its only if you pay too much that its a problem.

tgon

Unfortunately, the evidence of subsidence shows a current and unsolved situation because the neighbours trees seems the source of the problem and still there. I fear I would be buying a pending legal dispute even if it was mortgageable. Isn't heave a risk after mature trees are cleared? Perhaps a simple fix but forever tainted. Such a pity.

Oh dear, I think I've answered my own question.

KiKi

I think you just have! So sorry. But it's really not worth the hassle further down the line.

Doozergirl

I agree, ongoing tree issue = not a good thing

tgon

I've told the vendors EA I've withdrawn my offer (repeated twice today) and no way wish to proceed and informed my solicitor as such. The EA is now exerting pressure for me to reconsider saying vendor will sort everything out, what if we do this or that, etc, etc. Even suggested I go and chat with the neighbour about their trees!

So sad but I know walking away is the right move. Thanks all - appreciated.

guppy

What sort of trees are they?

There is an argument that experts are too quick to blame trees, when the movement could be caused by something different such as soil type, poor foundations or leaking drains.

The fact they have recommended you check all three suggests they don't even know what's causing the problem for sure Never any harm in walking away anyway...

Curv

tgon wrote: »

Even suggested I go and chat with the neighbour about their trees!

Sorry, but this made me do a genuLOL... what do they think the neighbours can say about the trees? 'They are lovely trees and won't be a bit of bother... honest!' LOLOL

EAs do make me laugh sometimes.

tgon

Remedial work to the same area has been carried out twice over the last 4 years. House is only 11 years old. Seller has lost 2 buyers already on this house in last 6 months - reasons doubtful. The house next door to the property in question had a large spreading tree cut down this summer - reasons assumed. Large neighbouring trees less than 10' away still exist - reasons to go.