Neighbours structural issues

PinkLizard21

milkskae873 said:

Why are you worried about neighbour structural issue??

I just wondered if it would effect my property either now or in the future, especially as I want to extend at some point. I had a google but couldn’t find much information on the potential impact of structural issues on a neighbouring property 

FreeBear

PinkLizard21 said: I know it sounds crazy, but the area of London I am in means that I can’t afford anything that is risk free. 

London - Predominantly clay. Victorian housing, particularly at the cheap end of the scale, often have minimal foundations. Getting a full, detailed survey done is always prudent.

If the neighbouring property is having a basement conversion done, then run a mile. Then again, if it anywhere close to William Lyttle's place on Mortimer Road, a geological survey might be a good idea - Background info - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2006/aug/08/communities.uknews

Ashworks

Personally I would worry about it, until I got a full structural survey which showed no issues. 'Structural issues' might be nothing, or might be really serious - we have no way of telling so its impossible to advise. You could always ask the vendor, or the neighbours, to get an idea of the issue.

[Deleted User]

PinkLizard21 said:

Can anyone advise me about how worried I should be if the neighbours of a potential house that I am buying have structural issues with their home?

You should be getting a full structural survey done, ideally at the seller's expense. Then you won't have to worry, you will know for sure.

canaldumidi

[Deleted User] said:

PinkLizard21 said:

Can anyone advise me about how worried I should be if the neighbours of a potential house that I am buying have structural issues with their home?

You should be getting a full structural survey done, ideally at the seller's expense. Then you won't have to worry, you will know for sure.

Surveys are typically arranged by, paid by, and done for the buyer. Few sellers will pay for this (in England).

Plus of course if the seller did pay, then the surveyor's liability for any error would be to his client; the long-departed seller.

Pay for your own survey.

warby68

Unless you have experience or someone to help/advise/do some work, you may be better compromising on other things such as area, commuting time and property type for your first buy. 

Your other one was described as a wreck by the surveyor.

A property requiring major work just to be safe/watertight or even one with 30 smaller things is not for the faint hearted. An unknown risk in an adjoining property might be spotted by your surveyor, then again it might not and you're still stuck with the uncertainty.

I'd also be wary in these difficult times for securing tradespeople. You could be waiting a very long time or be held to ransom prices and if the budget is already stretched.......

Slinky

warby68 said:

An unknown risk in an adjoining property might be spotted by your surveyor, then again it might not and you're still stuck with the uncertainty.

If you decide to get a survey, tell the surveyor about the comments on the adjoining property so he's tuned in to looking for issues. Our surveyor uncovered that our property had previously had subsidence, by talking to the neighbour.

arrows123

PinkLizard21 said:

elsien said:

So what sort of structural issues does your neighbour have? 

I don’t actually know. It was something that a rival estate agent alluded to when I said I was considering the property

Anyone else find this a little strange that a rival estate agent has mentioned it? How would they know, do they have an axe to grind? First thing I'd do check online how often it's sold in recent years, lots or none at all?