Property with subsidence

[newhomenewmex]

We had found out that the property we are buying had subsidence… apparently from the neighbours tree but have now had root barriers fitted. This happened over 20 years ago. I’m getting slightly worried, would you purchase such a property? To be fair the estate agents did tell us at initial viewing but it just didn’t sink in till now we are about to exchange. Would you buy this? The house is pretty much perfect otherwise.

Have you had a survey done and was the surveyor aware of the history? For me it would depend on what he said.

Any experiences/thoughts please?

We made an insurance claim for subsidence 30 years ago. The work was done thoroughly and the house has been as good as new ever since. Depending on the causes and extent of movement, I wouldn’t be put off by subsidence that happened 20 years ago if appropriate repairs were carried out.

"We had found out that the property we are buying had subsidence… apparently from the neighbours tree but have now had root barriers fitted. This happened over 20 years ago. "

So what did the survey say? How effective and long lasting are root barriers?

He?

I bought a house with historic subsidence. Work had been completed and there had been no new movement. There wasn't even any paperwork to prove this but you could see where the repairs were. It was fine, insurance wasn't massively expensive and we had no trouble selling. But this was in an area of victorian terraces on clay soils and they almost all had some form of movement at some point. I did walk away from a house with movement from a massive listed tree because they estate agent claimed to no nothing about it and when he asked the owners they denied it. The door frame were totally wonky, the floors were slanting. How they could deny it and ignore itwas beyond me.

@fakelondoneri know it’s not the point of the thread but I had the same reaction!

We bought a house that had subsidence. We bought 4 years ago and the work was done about a year before we purchased. It was also caused by tree roots and the ground being very dry and crumbling. We have had absolutely no movement. We got the house for a bit of a bargain really as it think it put lots of people off. This is our final home though and we have no intention of selling. If we had we may have been more cautious to purchase, not that we think there'll be a problem but just from a selling on perspective. We also have brick garage which has no movement either.

@cuppacat heya, how much of a bargain did you have off pls? This house is on for 25k less than similar properties so I think they have reduced due to the history of subsidence but trying to see if I can get more off lol. Tbh we won’t be selling for atleast 15 years I think so

@newhomenewmex

what did the survey say? have you had one done?

youre asking for opinions but not providing any information

Hard to say as it was a complete doer upper too. There was no kitchen to speak of and it needed replastering and new floors etc. I'd say it was probably £40k cheaper than a similar house would have been in that state but it's hard to say. It had been on the market for a while and I think they just wanted to sell - it was a probate sale which can be a bit cheaper too.

Check the position on insurance ASAP. Not with a comparison website, with a proper grown up broker.

We’ve just purchased a property with a recent subsidence claim (exchanged not completed). It is a long term home for us and I was able to get a mortgage and insurance easily so I’m not worried. I know it’s got a stigma but with climate change, it is going to be really common.

Lloyds bank insurance provide cover on standard terms - which is what lenders care about (and that it’s no longer moving)!

I bought a house which had subsidence. It had been repaired and signed off and was insurable. I bought it and flipped it. Had no issue selling.

I wouldn’t be put off if it was 20 years ago and there had been no movement since. I would get a survey to look for it though.

(and @fakelondonerI was in property development for years and I never met a female surveyor in all that time. I would say he too, just based on personal experience. Not everything has to be an issue)

I’d be more concerned by a root barrier than it being cut down. But 20 years ago, you’re likely to be fine.

It’s fascinating how the entire existence of female surveyors can apparently be validated or dismissed based solely on your personal encounters.

I can only speak about my personal encounters.

i am sure there are many female surveyors. I have only met male ones, so I would probably say “he” as well due to that.
It’s not something I’d even think about. It would just come out as I would be thinking of Steve, or Roger or all the other ones I can’t remember the names of - so I’d say, he, as that’s where my brain would go in a split second.

It’s really not that deep.