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Original poster

Subsidence

13 replies

Knownoone · 10/08/2023 15:40

Hello All,

We have exchanged on the property and need to get home insurance on it. The valuation survey stated that the property had suffered subsidence in the past but there is no evidence that shows it is ongoing. The seller has declared that he hasn't made any insurance claims on this property, had no underpinning or any issues whatsoever. He has been staying in this property for 14 years

We haven't got structural survey done on the property.

The insurance document asks if there has been any subsidence on the property? Not sure what to answer. Please advise.

OP posts:
FoodFann · 10/08/2023 15:44

You've bought a house with subsidence, you need to answer the insurance question honestly. I’m surprised you didn’t get a structural survey done, to see how bad the problem is, and to see if underpinning is needed. Of course the vendor is going to tell you they’ve had no issues, they want to sell it.

FoodFann · 10/08/2023 15:45

Ah wait, I see you’ve not yet completed. Personally I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole. But at the very least you have time to do a survey before completing

Gaby5 · 10/08/2023 15:52

Did it say subsidence or did it say non-progressive movement? They are different things.

Original poster
Knownoone · 10/08/2023 15:58

Gaby5 · 10/08/2023 15:52

Did it say subsidence or did it say non-progressive movement? They are different things.

Non progressive movement.

It states as follows:

The property has suffered previous movement but I saw no evidence to suggest this is ongoing.

OP posts:
Gaby5 · 10/08/2023 16:28

Ok, so that is very normal in older houses and it isn’t subsidence! The time to worry is if it states it is ‘progressive.’

Gaby5 · 10/08/2023 16:30

Also, you’ll probably get people saying you’re daft not to have a survey done. We had a level 3 RICS survey done…. He didn’t pick up on any of the actual issues we found once moving in and instead highlighted things that weren’t actually a problem!

Yarnorama · 10/08/2023 16:42

I would not be worried about that at all.

Original poster
Knownoone · 10/08/2023 16:46

Gaby5 · 10/08/2023 16:30

Also, you’ll probably get people saying you’re daft not to have a survey done. We had a level 3 RICS survey done…. He didn’t pick up on any of the actual issues we found once moving in and instead highlighted things that weren’t actually a problem!

Thanks Gaby. I literally had tears in my eyes, feeling I have been daft not to get the survey done. The insurance agent also confirmed after reading the document, subsidence is not similar as movement. And this is fairly common. Extremely thankful to you for all the positive comments.

OP posts:
BreadInCaptivity · 10/08/2023 16:52

I've a 16th century house.

It has "moved" in the past and this was noted on the massively extensive and expensive survey.

It's nothing to worry about if it's not moving and "settled" as ours has done. We've had no problem with getting insurance.

Movement does not equate to subsidence.

Most older properties work have experienced some degree of movement over time.

When you need to worry is when you are seeing new cracks developing and growing bigger.

Original poster
Knownoone · 10/08/2023 17:42

Thanks everyone. Did get an insurance, but they have mentioned an excess of £2500 in case of subsidence. Hope that is fine .

OP posts:
Yarnorama · 10/08/2023 17:43

Oh goodness, definitely wouldn't worry about historic movement at that age. It would long ago have settled.

AnSolas · 10/08/2023 17:52

Knownoone · 10/08/2023 16:46

Thanks Gaby. I literally had tears in my eyes, feeling I have been daft not to get the survey done. The insurance agent also confirmed after reading the document, subsidence is not similar as movement. And this is fairly common. Extremely thankful to you for all the positive comments.

Show quote history

If you are unsure plus it is a new house you phone up every year and have a detailed conversation with a human.
At the moment you are depending on a survay you did not pay for so you can only supply the information you know about.
Insurance is a contract of utmost good faith, as in you tell their agent everything and they price it into your policy.
Once you do this its the insurance companys problem if it ends up having a claim

Original poster
Knownoone · 10/08/2023 21:42

Thanks everyone, spoke to the insurer in detail and this is sorted.

OP posts:
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