Council house suspected subsidence

Thejennster

Hey guys, looking for some advice! 

I have lived in my council house for the last 11 years. It is in a lovely area, down a lane next to the woods. There are only 7 houses down here, mine and my neighbours are the only council houses. 

I would like to buy this property and feel in a position to do so now as my son is older and I can work full time. I do not want to move because of my sons school and friends - I did look to homeswap but there is nothing in the local area.

The building was built in 1890 I believe. I have suspected subsidence for a while and have raised this to the councils attention, multiple surveyors have came out to access over the years. Alot of them have not wanted to admit subsidence, one did agree but scheduled a appointment for a building surveyor. I've recently had that appointment and she has said that the cracks are due to the trees and its not subsidence. (I thought that's what subsidence is!) She said we cannot cut the trees down as the mayor won't allow it. So I'm going to have to put up with the cracks. I was disappointed by this information and honestly feel like they are trying to fob me off. My neighbour who is also council, has also brought this to their attention and they have said similar things, they will put tape to monitor the cracks (which they haven't done and it's been months) my neighbours house is much worse than mine.

My issues are cracks in the walls that get gradually wider as they go up the wall.

Hairline cracks all around the edges of the ceilings, doors and windows.

Front door dropped so much we had to have a new one fitted.

All other doors in the house will not close anymore. They get stuck on the frame.

My outside wall in the front garden is bowed and pushing outwards, it has developed a huge gap in the cement where the front wall connects to the side wall. I can actually take out the whole piece of cement that used to connect it. I have raised that this is a health and safety issue as we have a scouts hut/woodland nursery opposite and small children walk past close to the wall everyday. They said they will repair the wall but it's been years and nothing. 

Pieces of plaster are randomly falling out the wall, near the skirting boards and in the corners of the room. 

Our house is the middle terrace of a block of 3. Built on a slight slope, with steps to access front door. I believe my neighbours house is falling down the hill and pulling all 3 with it. We have alot of large trees nearby and in my neighbours garden, we are also very close to the woods. 

I would very much like to purchase this property as I would like to get on the housing ladder and I adore the location, neighbours etc. But is it a bad idea? How can I get the council to address the subsidence? 

I'm guessing I may not even be able to get a mortgage if there is suspected subsidence. 

Sorry for the ramble 
Appreciate the replies ! 

Thejennster

I have also had a independent builder agree with me that it's subsidence. Council will not listen to this. 

theartfullodger

Get a formal subsidence survey done, at your expense, see what it says. 

Which country? (NI, Wales....) please 

Guess the option of buying with the funded discount but at a lower price if subsidence accepted V getting council to fix then buying at higher price is an interesting comparison...

Thejennster

South west England.

Thejennster

I've just contacted geobear who do subsidence work. They advised me they cannot come out an access as its a council property and would need to speak to the landlord. They advised me to get a building survey done and get in contact for quotes after. 

By doing this, and there is subsidence, how can I hold the council responsible and get them to carry out the work? Do I need to put in to buy the property first in order to get anywhere with this. In which case they may say we will cease all repair works as you have now applied to purchase the property. 

Is there any legal advice that I can enact to get them to follow through on repairing the subsidence if I get independent survey works carried out? Do they have a responsibility to fix or is it at their discretion? 

user1977

theartfullodger said:

Which country? (NI, Wales....) please 

England is the only home nation which still has a right to buy council houses.

Grizebeck

If the council are happy with their property then its up to them what they do

sheramber

If it is the trees causing it then without cutting down the trees there is not going to be away to fix it.

They may be happy to wait until the house is not fit to live in and pull it down.

BlueVeranda

I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but I would not entertain the idea of buying this house unless the subsidence is fixed, and to be honest I'm a bit worried about your safety just living in it. It sounds like it's getting noticeably worse.

Jonboy_1984

If the internal doors won't shut and the landlord won't fix them, I would be following this https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-in-rented-housing/repairs-what-are-your-options-if-you-are-a-social-housing-tenant/complaining-about-your-landlords-failure-to-make-repairs-if-you-are-a-social-housing-tenant/ as a fire safety issue (emphasis on smoke protection in the event of a fire in the first instance) . 

Also remember if you buy it with known subsidence it will not be an insurable issue and you will be paying all costs to repair. 

There was a thread a few months back because someone started right to buy and the housing association refused to spend a penny more on the place (electrical isssues j their case). 

Alderbank

You have an idyllic home. I can well understand why you are happy to live there. You can stay there as long as you want, for the rest of your life if you wish.

It just gets better. If it ever needs any repairs your fellow council tax payers will chip in and pay for them however expensive, at no cost to you.

I should say 'when it needs repairs' rather than 'if it needs repairs'. A house built in 1890 needs regular love and care and money. What's the roof like? and the chimneys? Victorian terrace houses usually didn't have any foundations worth talking about so it could well be slowly sliding down the hill.

Don't fall into the fallacy of believing that buying is always better than renting. I don't think it is in your case.