Structural survey needed - what should I do?

[Elph]

I've had an offer accepted on my first property. The mortgage lender has down-valued to '0' and says it requires a structural survey before it will give a valuation / lend on it as there is evidence it has "suffered structural movement" and the "openings and lintels are distorted".

It's a mid terraced stone house, on a road at the foot of a hill, around 150 years old. It looks straight from the front, but from the back one of the windows is sloped, it's clear from the window ledge and the lintel above it. When standing in that room, you can feel a marked slope in the floor in the same direction.

I know nothing whatsoever about buildings... if the floor slopes AND the window slopes, I'm guessing it's not the joists? Could it be subsidence? Although it only seems to be affecting the top floor (there is actually a lean-to against the downstairs wall, so I didn't notice any misalignment there although I'm going to go back and check.) I think the ground floor felt level.
There is a cellar under the property, It's one of those properties where the ground is lower at the back of the house than at the front, so you walk into the cellar from the back. The door to the cellar is on the same side as the downward sloping window.

I'm just wondering how serious the problem could possibly be? I don't want to pay for an expensive survey if it's likely to be a big problem that means I can't buy the house. I am going to ask for a builder's opinion but wondered if anyone here had any thoughts?

Other properties in the same terrace have sold recently for decent prices, so I'm making the assumption that they are okay?

Last question - I have instructed my solicitor already, and have paid for searches. If the sale falls through I will have to pay them for any work undertaken to that point. Should I ask my solicitor to pause their work for me, in case it doesn't go ahead, to prevent racking up a bill, until I know if I still want the house?
It could take weeks and weeks to get the survey done, all surveyors near me are crazy busy.

TIA for any advice!

If your solicitors haven't yet ordered surveys, ask them to pause while you consider. A full structural survey will cost c. £1k. Sounds like there is definitely a problem. A lot of people would walk away at this point. You should ask yourself how much you love the house, how much work you can afford to do, and at what point you would walk away. Only then do you know if it's worth doing a survey at all.

Thanks @Dinosauraddict. I do like the house, I feel fortunate to have 'bagged' it, as the size and location are perfect, and there is nothing new coming on the market whatsoever. But, it is the top end of my budget and I don't have the cash or DIY skills to take on a big project. It might be a case of head over heart here.

Sounds like you need to walk away sorry. Has it been on the market long? Might be worth asking the estate agent if the vendor will foot the cost of a full survey? If it's as bad and obvious as you say they'll have the problem time and time again so may be persuadable.

It wasn't on the market long at all, I pounced on it quickly!
I knew the window and floor were wonky before making an offer, I just thought it was par for the course with old houses and not that much of a big deal. If it's still standing after 150 years (and has been bought and sold twice in the past 20 years) I assumed it was OK. The mortgage issue surprised me - seems I was naive.

I like old houses, and am experienced with them, but a wonky window would be a big red flag for me and would make me worry about subsidence. I have done full renovations and not much makes me panic, but subsidence would truly see me abandon a purchase. That's not to say you should, but just where my own level of risk appetite lies. However, if you do proceed, make sure you majorly reduce your offer if the survey shows up substantial work required.

Thanks Dinosaur. I've been looking closely at the photos and done some googling, I reckon perhaps what has happened is that the lintel (which is timber) above the upstairs window failed at some point causing the weight to bear down on one side and warping the joists holding the floor on that side? I can't see any cracking. The roof slopes very slightly, looks in good condition though and like it's been replaced fairly recently.
Anyone know if replacing a lintel above an upstairs window is a big job?

I would walk away too before you sink any more money into it. It is pointless you speculating as to whether it actually does have subsidence or not, the crooked windows and floors are a big sign writ large that there is something very wrong. There are 3 possible outcomes. 1) It doesn't have subsidence at all (sounds unlikely). 2) The subsidence is so bad it would be a cash purchase only, or 3) The subsidence is repairable, but the mortgage company will only lend you money in stages, pending repairs, or just not lend you the full sum you are seeking.
I speak as an old fart who has bought and sold quite a few houses. Tbh, if I picked up on photos of a house that it was all wonky, I wouldn't even bother viewing. Save your pennies and move on.

Thank you @Brownlongearedbat, realy appreciating the advice from seasoned property buyers.

Just being devil's advocate, could there be an option 4) The movement/subsidence is historic, the property has been stable for 100 years now and so while a bit wonky is actually perfectly sound?

That's the outcome I'm sort of hoping for but if it's not realistic I'd like to know!

Thanks

Well yes there's always that possibility. You obviously like the house. What do the owners say about its wonkiness?
Whatever, I hope your house purchase, whether this one or another one, goes well for you and you are eventually happy in your new home.

Is it in a mining area?

I's sensible to ask a builder to take a look as a first step, but only the right sort of survey will identify the problem. Talk to a surveyor and explain the problem- they may even suggest a structural engineer. It's odd that the roof was replaced recently but the owners didn't sort this problem out. Perhaps doing the roof caused it, who knows. Realtives once got a survey which revealed a roof was causing the walls to spread because some idiot had cut through some structural timbers in the roof (in fact, they bought anyway and had it fixed, but at least they were able to get it costed first and knew what they were getting into). You need either to back out or, if you really love the place, shell out for a survey and find out.