...to ask has anyone come across natural ground instability of moderate to high comment from local search? Buy or not buy?

11 replies

Waynestratford · 27/08/2021 22:59

Hi there. Can anyone share your experience of buying a new home with such local search result? Go or not go for it? Thank you.

OP posts:

flashbac · 28/08/2021 08:47

I think searches are getting worse in terms of arse covering language however with a new build I wouldn't risk it. Older house maybe.

BlueMongoose · 28/08/2021 21:15

I think that perhaps you need to talk with the surveyor and get a fuller explanation.

wallflower101 · 28/08/2021 22:35

I've bought twice with moderate coming up on surveys. Each time it's been fine. Surveyor confirmed property showed no sign of movement, it's a well established development around 20 years old with no subsidence issues affecting other properties so I knew it would be ok. It's just built on an old chalk mine or something. I was set on buying a property in that area so knew all the properties there would come back with the same "moderate" risk

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/08/2021 07:40

Even compared to 5 years ago searches seem to manage to find more stuff. Just buying now and the search includes going through old maps and has found possible ground works prior to 1853 in the next door garden. Full structural survey found no evidence of subsidence and the house we are buying is 70 years old.
DH got his knickers in a twist about it and I pointed out 5 years ago he wouldn't known about the ground works.

flashbac · 29/08/2021 09:20

@Lonecatwithkitten

Even compared to 5 years ago searches seem to manage to find more stuff. Just buying now and the search includes going through old maps and has found possible ground works prior to 1853 in the next door garden. Full structural survey found no evidence of subsidence and the house we are buying is 70 years old. DH got his knickers in a twist about it and I pointed out 5 years ago he wouldn't known about the ground works.

I agree. Lately searches seem to be really nit picky and too risk averse. I think many inexperienced buyers will be spooked by them.

Original poster

Waynestratford · 29/08/2021 19:26

Dear all, thank you very much for all your valuable comments. The search results are coming from solicitor. The location is originally a farm land and has been built for several years. Has anyone of you bought a new build in a farm land? Please advise.

OP posts:

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/08/2021 19:40

@Waynestratford

If a search is run on my current house which is 20years old it will probably fall into the same category built on land that capability brown dug out to build the features at a local house, it was then the local dump for many years. My search was through the solicitor with the earth works. A good reality check is to look at possible insurance costs, does an insurer think this is a significant risk.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/08/2021 19:40

Sorry current house is 10 years old.

Original poster

Waynestratford · 29/08/2021 21:04

Hi Lonecatwithkitten, thank you very much for your advice.

OP posts:

abouquetofsharpenedpencils · 15/09/2021 22:45

We are in the same position @Waynestratford
Searches have just come back with moderate to high ground instability as well as built next to former landfill site which can also cause ground instability. Also contaminated land issues. I have asked the surveyor to pay attention to this in the Home Buyer’s Standard Survey next week but as it is only level 2 not sure how thorough it will be.
What did you decide in the end?

LeavesOffTheCactus · 15/09/2021 23:04

All of london is high subsidence risk due to clay soil and plenty of people are willing to buy here. Is that the same thing?

Flip