Have you/would you buy a house near a mineshaft?

[Dizzycow79]

Hi

Searches on a property have shown there are mineshafts located within the boundary of the property on a patch of woodland which belongs to the property but not in the garden/right next to the house.

I'm trying to speak to someone from the coal board to see if we can get more information (particularly as we would like to extend)

Just wondered if anyone had advice, previous experience?

Thanks

No way.

I knew someone whose house subsided as it turned out the tunnels were underneath.

This was in the Black Country.

Hiya

I have a friend whose job is surveying historic mine shafts, making reports and being the expert on site when remedial works get done. It’s fascinating stuff and yes, I would buy a property with mineshafts if I was fully informed.

There should be local firms who can advise you - you may need a specialist survey. Depending on the age and local history/conditions , shaft locations may not be 100% accurate on the official records. Mining surveyors can use something that is a bit like an underground sonar fed into 3D modelling to pinpoint exactly what is what, or they may physically go down and have a look. Sometimes they may not need to and can offer a simpler report based on available data that is sufficient for insurance/mortgage purposes.

It may be that a mining survey was carried out when the property was purchased by the current owner and you could ask for a copy.

You may need to look carefully at the situation with insurance and mortgage criteria, if you are thinking of extending closer to a known mineshaft. Also whether machinery/vehicles can safely access the extension site without crossing any dodgy bits.

Finally, I would want to know if any shaft access points on the property are safely capped to modern standards. If no, what is the cost to do so and what are your liabilities if someone wanders onto your land and falls in/goes exploring? If yes, is any checking/maintenance required, who did the work and what guarantees were given?

Hope this is helpful!

I'd always be wondering whether another one would open up under my feet. Sorry.

Not that close, no way!

NO

@BeastOfBODMAS

Hiya

I have a friend whose job is surveying historic mine shafts, making reports and being the expert on site when remedial works get done. It’s fascinating stuff and yes, I would buy a property with mineshafts if I was fully informed.

There should be local firms who can advise you - you may need a specialist survey. Depending on the age and local history/conditions , shaft locations may not be 100% accurate on the official records. Mining surveyors can use something that is a bit like an underground sonar fed into 3D modelling to pinpoint exactly what is what, or they may physically go down and have a look. Sometimes they may not need to and can offer a simpler report based on available data that is sufficient for insurance/mortgage purposes.

It may be that a mining survey was carried out when the property was purchased by the current owner and you could ask for a copy.

You may need to look carefully at the situation with insurance and mortgage criteria, if you are thinking of extending closer to a known mineshaft. Also whether machinery/vehicles can safely access the extension site without crossing any dodgy bits.

Finally, I would want to know if any shaft access points on the property are safely capped to modern standards. If no, what is the cost to do so and what are your liabilities if someone wanders onto your land and falls in/goes exploring? If yes, is any checking/maintenance required, who did the work and what guarantees were given?

Hope this is helpful!

Thank you - this is really helpful!

I guess it will come down to the cost of a full mine survey.

Current owners said "it's never been an issue for them" but obviously they want to sell.

We've had an initial report which says the mines were capped but they don't know to what standard. It also has a margin of error for where the mineshafts were (there were 2 apparently)

I'm hoping the coal board might be able to help too. The house itself sits at what seems a distance from the mineshaft but the report did say it could be in the zone of influence. Access wouldn't be over the area where the mineshafts are.

Really appreciate the reply.

@Dizzycow79 happy to be of help

It may be worth checking with neighbours as they may have copies of surveys which are relevant to you.

I think the margin of error you’ve been quoted on your initial report will indicate what level of additional investigation is needed. My sparse knowledge is Cornwall oriented where the tin mining goes back to the Bronze Age and so there’s lots of workings which are not recorded at all. You are talking coal so a different region with its own history, norms and peculiarities!

@BeastOfBODMAS I'm in the north east - so mines all over the place - I hadn't realised how many until we found the online search you can do - there were mine shafts just down the road from where we are now where you'd never expect!

It would put me off, sorry.

Could you get a mortgage?
I'd be surprised if you could

Would anyone you wanted to sell to further down the line be able to get a mortgage?

Used to live in rural Kent where there are quite a few shut mines. Lived inbetween two of the larger ones. No issue except we had to get specialist insurance (wasn't any more expensive). Loads of people live within close proximity to these mines, as long as you take all sensible precautions (e.g proper survey) there shouldn't be an issue.