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Detached annexe at property we are buying has subsidence - run a mile or proceed??

8 replies

MovingandStressed · 16/03/2023 19:51

We’ve had the survey back on house we are buying - it’s got a good sized two storey detached annexe in the garden which it turns out has subsidence (probably resulting from being built into a steep slope on the plot and inadequate foundations when it was built in the 70s). The annexe is basically a one bedroom home which would have been useful to us. House itself is not affected (so far as surveyor can tell although other issues show that the builders were potentially not great as there is quite a big issue in the roof construction of the main house). The location is absolutely perfect for us and there really aren’t many locations that work so well, certainly no alternatives currently on market and we have to move in next few months - though could rent something and bide our time rather than rush.

Do we ask for significant price reduction OR walk away? It doesn’t bother us specifically as long as we had a large chunk of purchase price off as we are cash buyers and home insurance also not an issue as we can arrange a specialist policy around the subsidence through contacts in the industry, but I am conscious that other future buyers may not have this option. If we underpin the annexe we will presumably have to declare it on sale and would a usual buyer run a mile? I’m not sure how / whether it would affect mortgageability as it’s the annexe affected not the main house. Does anyone know? We won’t probably be there that long 5 years or so and we don’t want to be lumbered with a property we can’t shift. Other thought is we could just demolish it before we sell so we have nothing to declare.

Should we run a mile?? Or if the vendors will take a significant chunk off, should we consider proceeding??

I am confused in my thoughts as the house itself is not affected but the annexe was important to us!
Advice much appreciated!

OP posts:
Eas1lyd1stracted · 16/03/2023 20:52

Run a mile. I was going to say pay what it's worth without the substinence. Then I noticed the general build quality and other issues. Be grateful for a good surveyor. Will they have a chat with you?

S72 · 16/03/2023 21:06

Avoid. Even without the subs, the roof issue doesn't sound positive.

If it is suffering from subsidence, the current owners should raise this as an insurance claim under their own policy. Investigations will be needed to determine the exact cause and potentially monitoring may be required for six to twelve months to see if the property is still moving. Once the cause of the subsidence is dealt with, then repairs can be done. Underpinning is not always the best option.

Existing subsidence and history of subsidence needs to be declared when taking out a new policy. It is very expensive to find an insurer willing to provide cover. It isn't impossible of course, but it is expensive.

Also remember it may not just be the foundations. Potentially there could be an issue with the drains or vegetation too.

Eas1lyd1stracted · 16/03/2023 21:27

What that should have said was what it's worth without the part with the susbtinence in case it's unfixable but then I read on in horror

MovingandStressed · 16/03/2023 21:31

@Eas1lyd1stracted The surveyor has said to me on the phone that he would walk away but I was just wondering if we were dismissing it without consideration…glad to hear that you concur

OP posts:
MovingandStressed · 16/03/2023 21:35

@S72 thanks so much for your view. The roof issue is a defect in the way the roof is structurally built and I could get my head round that as can be fixed (we haven’t been averse to a big project historically!) but the subsidence takes the undertaking to a whole new level. It’s a good thought re their insurer, I will pose this query to the agent to find out if they have ever claimed.

OP posts:
Goodread1 · 16/03/2023 21:40

Run 🏃‍♀️ opposite direction like you are competing training for next world 🌎 Olympics @MovingandStressed

Viviennemary · 16/03/2023 21:40

Dont touch it with a bargepole. Why go for problems. But maybe it can be underpinned. I would look for something else.

Eas1lyd1stracted · 16/03/2023 22:51

MovingandStressed · 16/03/2023 21:31

@Eas1lyd1stracted The surveyor has said to me on the phone that he would walk away but I was just wondering if we were dismissing it without consideration…glad to hear that you concur

Well if a surveyor tells you to run definitely run.

I fell in love with a house with ongoing movement once. Was still tempted as it was unique. Surveyor told me I was crazy and ig was probably unmortgageable. I saw it for sale loads later for a much lower price after a lot of remedial work. As soon as I started digging there was loads lot done properly including no building regs and steels they stuck in themselves but thought I'd be ok with photos of them going in 😱

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