Help! Step crack in bricks

Section62

grumpy_codger said:

Section62 said:

Londonseller said:

I have spotted two separate step cracks coming from the same window. Is this a huge red flag for subsidence or could something have caused this.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The cracks suggest downward movement of the wall to the left and below the window.

...
* Possibly, by "to the left and below the window" you mean the same.

Yes I meant "the wall to the left of the window, and part of the wall below the window, are (probably) moving in a downward direction."

Though a common form of construction, the 'ground floor window/boarding/1st floor window' arrangement creates a weaker structure than if the wall was solid.  If there is differential movement either side of the window (left/right) then cracking is likely to show up in the brickwork under the window as this is where the weakest point will usually be found.

Londonseller

Thanks for your advice, sounds like it is subsidence, Not worth the risk of putting an offer on it.

Section62

Londonseller said:

Thanks for your advice, sounds like it is subsidence, Not worth the risk of putting an offer on it.

Certainly looks like movement of some kind.  It would be better if the vendor gets it investigated and repaired, but that may take a while to do properly (it needs more than just repointing again), so is probably best avoided unless you are a cash buyer and want to take on a significant 'project'.