Possible structural movement, should I buy?

Orangelady2

Level 2 survey has picked up possible structural movement. Crack on external wall under both front windows. Structural engineer booked for later this week said may just be drains so could need a drain survey, but know more once seen properly.

Am I likely to have issue getting insurance if I buy even if its a small issue?

Sons owner mentioned possibly claiming through his insurance but could take a long time, or renegotiate price.

 Owner has died so no idea how long been an issue i need to get a bungalow in same village due to disability & relative also living in same village, hardly any semi detached bungalows come on to market here. Worried it could be big issue and if ever need to sell & I won't be able to find a buyer or lose alot of money.

Surveyor emailed his report and im unable to ask him questions as he  left firm a few days later. Are properties  like this worth the risk?

WIAWSNB

Hi.
I'd ask the son to get the ball rolling on a claim, and this will almost certainly require a SE's input. Their insurance company will then determine whether it's covered.
Hopefully they'll say 'yes', so ask the son to get the repair process going. 
I'd put all the onus on them to sort this, and if it's subsidence, it should be covered.
I can't see that then being an issue for your new insurance co, even if you complete on the purchase before the job is completed - even started.
I'd suggest what is an issue, is not knowing. 
If he comes back with, "They won't cover it.", then you need quotes for the repair, and a commensurate reduction in the asking price.

Bigphil1474

See what structural engineer says first. If it is subsidence and even if it is covered by the insurance, it will affect the availability of insurance and the price you pay. We had subsidence in 2010/12 and it took nearly 10 years for the premiums to come back down to normal levels, and we had to stick with the insurers who covered it as we couldn't find any competitive alternatives. 

Section62

Orangelady2 said:

Level 2 survey has picked up possible structural movement. Crack on external wall under both front windows. Structural engineer booked for later this week said may just be drains so could need a drain survey, but know more once seen properly.
....

Two cracks is more of a concern than one - and it is likely the cracks are under the windows because this is where the wall is the weakest.  To me the cracks look wider at the top than the bottom, which is suggestive of ground movement - either the ground either end dropping, or the ground in the middle rising (hogging).

I'd be delighted to be wrong, but I fear you've got something more serious than a defective drain going on there.

In terms of moving forward, I think it is unlikely this will be resolved quickly, and as Bigphil1474 points out there could be a knock on effect on cost and availability of insurance.  You'll also need to think about your own circumstances and whether you'd want to live in a house while what might be major building work is being done. And in the worst case, cracks like that in the walls would cause me to suspect movement in the floor(s) as well, and if that is the case then realistically the property couldn't be lived in while the work was done.  When the SE reports back you'll need to think whether this is a project you'd be willing to take on.

Beeblebr0x

Bigphil1474 said:

See what structural engineer says first. If it is subsidence and even if it is covered by the insurance, it will affect the availability of insurance and the price you pay. We had subsidence in 2010/12 and it took nearly 10 years for the premiums to come back down to normal levels, and we had to stick with the insurers who covered it as we couldn't find any competitive alternatives. 

^ This....

youth_leader

When my husband died I downsized to this bungalow in 2021, and had a Level 3 RCIS survey.  I bought from a single divorcee, about my age, late 60's.   As surveyors are unable to move furniture or lift carpets the damp was not discovered until I had curtains made - the curtain rail fitter refused to work here because of the floor.  Pulled the carpet back and the floorboards were in pieces.  Pulled the carpet back in every other room and weyroc chipboard, covered in black mould.  Every floor here was rotten, cost me every penny of my equity to have the floors replaced, and my beloved sheltie died with a fungus in his nose. 

Do have an independent damp and timber survey if you are going to proceed - as well as a structural engineer to check those cracks.  My friend found a bungalow she loved because of the view .... but sadly it was sliding down the side of the slope it had been built on.

Orangelady2

Section62 said:

Orangelady2 said:

Level 2 survey has picked up possible structural movement. Crack on external wall under both front windows. Structural engineer booked for later this week said may just be drains so could need a drain survey, but know more once seen properly.
....

Two cracks is more of a concern than one - and it is likely the cracks are under the windows because this is where the wall is the weakest.  To me the cracks look wider at the top than the bottom, which is suggestive of ground movement - either the ground either end dropping, or the ground in the middle rising (hogging).

I'd be delighted to be wrong, but I fear you've got something more serious than a defective drain going on there.

In terms of moving forward, I think it is unlikely this will be resolved quickly, and as Bigphil1474 points out there could be a knock on effect on cost and availability of insurance.  You'll also need to think about your own circumstances and whether you'd want to live in a house while what might be major building work is being done. And in the worst case, cracks like that in the walls would cause me to suspect movement in the floor(s) as well, and if that is the case then realistically the property couldn't be lived in while the work was done.  When the SE reports back you'll need to think whether this is a project you'd be willing to take on.

Found this on Google maps it's the bungalow next door (semi detached). This photo is from last year when it sold after being on market tor a while. Looks like new bricks under both their front window, same area the crack is on one i was hoping to buy.

Am I wrong to assume if it was subsidence then there would have been bigger work carried out, like under pinning etc. Looks like just a few bricks replaced.

I am worried tthat as neighbour had same issuewith a crack, then it could be serious issue. I have a relative on the same street I can live with whilst any work is carried out. I'm just concerned if I do buy it would I have trouble re selling it later on, I'm a cash buyer so I don't need to worry about finding a mortgage provider willing to touch it but I know that can be an issue.

Alderbank

Yes, I'm afraid I think you are very wrong to make any assumptions about subsidence.

Since you have family living in the same street, I suppose the two of you could call round to the neighbour for a chat? That will tell you more than just making assumptions from a photo.