Oh help! These cracks are serious aren't they...?

Norma_Desmond

My late mother's bungalow I'm selling.

Cracks have got worse in recent years and we think it may be the small extension causing the problems as house is not built on clay, nor are there any trees close by. Neighbouring properties show no signs of subsidence.

We will be appointing a surveyor, but your thoughts would be welcome in the meantime.

Boohoo

I take it you have home insurance?

Not sure who legally owns the home but if you are the legal owner and the insurance is in your name I would make a claim but it depends on how long you have had the policy for as the insurance company could say that has happened over a few months and not days or weeks and they could try and get out of paying.

Obviously with this going on it may well hinder the home sale.

GDB2222

I'd be careful about claiming on insurance at this stage. Insurance covers subsidence, not all structural defects, and it's not obvious from the photos that the cracks extend to the foundations. Could just be a defective lintel over the door. Great that you're getting a surveyor, and hopefully he can tell you what needs fixing.

Eldi_Dos

Does the property have a water meter?, if so check the consumption especially if property is unoccupied.

subjecttocontract

Some of those cracks look like they been filled/repaired in the past. So,I assume this isn't recent movement that's causing the problem ?

Norma_Desmond

Thanks all - to be clear, probate has just been granted and I'm the sole beneficiary. Mother's insurance company knows it's an empty property and has extended its cover as such with us checking it regularly. They are aware of the cracks.

I just need to sell asap and get some closure - whether to sell 'as is' or sort it out beforehand.

EssexExile

Without knowing a lot more detail no one on here can tell whether it's worth fixing or not. The obvious question to ask is what is its value now and how much would it be if fixed? My hunch is that you would have to tell any prospective purchaser about the problems, fixed or not, so the price difference may not be much.

FlorayG

I don't think that's caused by the extension. My house has an extension that was poorly done but the crack is between the extension and the house; the house itself is sound.

You will probably find it unmortgagable; I got mine very cheap because of this but you will need to wait for a cash buyer

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82131471#Comment_82131471

How much is the house up for sale?

Have you had any viewings?

It would be cash buyer but as you probably won't be able to get a mortgage and they will know that you need to get rid of the home quickly so offer you half the sale price.

If it's up for sale what did the estate agent say about the cracks when they saw it?

GDB2222

There is some catastrophising going on. Nobody can be sure what is wrong from a few photos.

stuart45

I'd agree that it's important to find the cause first. From the photos I'd say that roof spread is a possibility. It's more common on bungalows than houses. Also, the gable wall might have been weakened if extra doors were cut in for the extension. It is generally easier, cheaper, and less disruptive than subsidence to fix.