Buying a house with previous subsidence

28 replies

Megang4 · 26/01/2026 15:31

So we’ve decided to buy a house which had a previous subsidence claim due to a neighbours tree which the roots caused pavements to lift etc, a root barrier was fitted and it’s all been ok. Well when we spoke with the estate agents she said the subsidence claim was 20 years ago and it’s been ok since. We’ve now seen the insurance paperwork and it’s dated 2020. Turns out the incidence happened in 2020 and was fixed and monitored all through 2021 with no issues. We’ve also had a survey and surveyor says all looks good no sign of movement. Well I’ve just spoke with the estate agent and asked how comes we were told 20 years ago, she’s basically passed it off as she made mistakes with the date. Am I right to be a bit cheesed off, if we initially knew it was 5 years ago, we would have offered even lower. Anyway please can I ask if subsidence of 5 years ago would bother you? We are close to exchange now. Thanks

OP posts:

kirinm · 16/02/2026 07:48

tartanterror · 28/01/2026 21:08

Unless there’s nothing else or it’s dirt cheap then proceed with extreme caution…. If there were problems in 2020 I think it’s highly likely there were problems in 2025 too. Ask the surveyor to make a statement about the chances of problems with the house itself… if it was previously paving thats not as big a problem as if it’s the building

Edited

What’s that based on? It’s been monitored for 3 years.

Sk999 · 20/10/2026 21:15

7catsforthewin · 26/01/2026 20:30

We bought my grandad's house that had had subsidence due to a tree 5 years prior. Tree removed and underpinning done then. We got it for around 10% below value. It's our forever home and we have been in it for 5 years now. Insurance is very expensive but been told by our specialist insurers it will come down after 10 years so only a year to go.
The offers you are receiving may change once the phone call happens- they will often offer without subsidence cover.

For us it was well worth it knowing like you we will be here long term and 20+ years following subsidence noone seems to bat an eyelid as insurance isn't affected. But we did get the house cheaper for this reason!

How expensive when you say expensive ?

nextchapterplease · 21/10/2026 20:55

We bought and sold a London house with this issue when we bought it - 10 years later when we sold it was a complete non issue. You just need to get all the facts straight and yes sounds like EA made a convenient mistake !

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