Buying advice: infill land and insurance

hussainkothari

Hi, I am looking to complete on an investment property very soon.

The property was surveyed and there is no signs and history of subsidence. The property is 100 years old and standing strong.

The search report came back saying the property is built on 'infilled land'

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. Groundsure's experts recommend that you check whether your structural surveys have taken this into account.

When I look for insurance, I answer the below question as - "I disagree" which means no quotes come up.

My property:
doesn't have a history - or show signs of - subsidence, landslip, or ground heave
isn't built on low lying land that has previously been filled or raised (known as 'made up ground')
isn't above underground workings (for example, tunnelling or mining)

I wanted to understand -

1. Am I answering the insurance question correctly?
2. I believe this would be true for many many properties - how do they get insurance
3. Is this a worthwhile investment? Or do buyers stay away from properties built on infilled land?

Thank you.

user1977

How specific is the "maps suggest" comment? Have you looked at the relevant maps and if so what was the earlier feature on the map? Is the house actually on that or is it perhaps e.g. part of the garden?

100 years ought to be more than enough time for any settlement etc to have happened by now.

hussainkothari

Thank you. 

The house is on the infilled land. It seems it was a 'Brick Field' in 1881. I am pretty confident that the house is solid and will not have subsidence issue. 

My worry is about the insurance. Is infilled land same as 'made up ground'. If so, I am not getting any automatic insurace quotes.

user1977

Infilled would be the same as made up ground, yes, but it doesn't sound like you actually know it was infilled.

This is the trouble with these desktop searches, they just give you vague stuff to worry about based on possibly inaccurate old maps etc. Nobody actually digs a hole to see what's under there...

hussainkothari

This is a picture from the ordinance maps from 1864. Even if i make the decision of buying it, how do i solve the insurance issue?

DullGreyGuy

hussainkothari said:

Hi, I am looking to complete on an investment property very soon.

The property was surveyed and there is no signs and history of subsidence. The property is 100 years old and standing strong.

The search report came back saying the property is built on 'infilled land'

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. Groundsure's experts recommend that you check whether your structural surveys have taken this into account.

When I look for insurance, I answer the below question as - "I disagree" which means no quotes come up.

My property:
doesn't have a history - or show signs of - subsidence, landslip, or ground heave
isn't built on low lying land that has previously been filled or raised (known as 'made up ground')
isn't above underground workings (for example, tunnelling or mining)

I wanted to understand -

1. Am I answering the insurance question correctly?

I believe this would be true for many many properties - how do they get insurance

Is this a worthwhile investment? Or do buyers stay away from properties built on infilled land?

Thank you.

I dont think you'd be in great territory given you have a report saying it was built on something that was previously a pond, mine, quarry, landfill or other hole and you then say "disagree" to saying it isn't above a mining.

Ultimately speak to the insurer in question and ensure they are comfortable with it being a "disagree" BEFORE you buy the insurance. 

Our Groundsure report said something somewhat similar but we know the history of the area which is historic docks for the shipping industry. there are 3-4 of the old docks still there but there used many more but they were filled in and land converted to residential and commercial use between the 60s and 80s 

lincroft1710

I come from a town where a whole 1960s estate was built on filled land (was known locally as the "Hills and Hollows"), houses are still standing and selling for decent money so doubtful if problems with excessive insurance quotes.


Talk to a local insurance broker, they often can advise on the right insurance company

Albermarle

As above talk to a couple of local insurance brokers.