Homebuyers report and London Plane Tree WWYD?

[JSBNYC]

Hi,

We have just received back a Homebuyer's report concerning a 1930's semi that we are hoping to buy in N London. One of the issues rated 3 on the report is the fact that there is a London Plane Tree 8 m from the property. They said that there is no evidence of it affecting our property yet but that there is a crack in the neighbours property that could have been caused by the Tree. what are the sensible next steps?- are there specialists who can look at these things?

They are in our road and grow massive but the council pollard them every 4-5 years to restrict their growth. It seems they are fine if kept under control. Can you find out whether there has been subsidence locally and whether the council manage the trees properly? Maybe the council was liable in the past so they have to do it to prevent further claims. It would not put me off as long as the tree was pollarded regularly.

How would you find out of there has been subsidence locally? the council is Barnet council. Thanks so much.

The central claim database can only be accessed by insurance companies, it us called CLUE and I am not sure how you could find out. The problem would be if you couldn't get insurance because of information listed that you wouldn't know about. Could you ask the neighbour? The council should be able to tell you whether they look after the trees in a particular road.

We had a structural survey, specifically to look at the large willow tree at the bottom of our garden. He did a full report on the tree and ruled out any problems with the house from it. Building Control also looked at it recently in the context of our foundations for the new extension and agreed with his assessment. We did actually need a structural survey for our mortgage though, as it was raised in the original survey as a possible issue.

hmm- we have our mortgage offer and they are happy with simply thier valuation report.

not sure whether to go now and get a full structural survey (the homebuyers report ponted out some damp and extension leakage too). I want to be belt and braces but dont want the new surveyors to repeat what is in the Homebuyers.

i would say no
point in another survey. i have just had a full one done and feel he has just refered any issues to a specialist in that area