1948 house with suspected movement. Buy or walk away?
Discussion
Should be a simple answer and walk or possibly even run away, but this house is potentially the one for us and heart and head are in disagreement so any thoughts or experiences appreciated
Had full building survey done which pointed to a number of small cracks in exterior render and a number of small cracks and blown plaster on inside walls. One door won't shut and there's higher than expected damp readings at the ground floor front. House is built on clay soil with some largish trees nearby and two more trees taken out in last 10 years.
But - what to expect from an old house on London clay and 1940's depth of foundations which are likely to be concrete trench and maybe just a metre deep? Hard to tell if surveyor is just covering his arse or there really is a problem as he's refusing to get into any discussion over degrees of severity or normality for the age of property or possible other causes such as thermal expansion or freezing water under the render causing the cracks.
One option is get a second opinion from a structural engineer.
Potentially seller could notify a suspected problem to his buildings insurer and start a monitoring process for a year or so but anybody got any idea how difficult it's going to be to insure in the future or if there's going to be difficulty with change of ownership with an ongoing claim?
Seller might have his arm twisted for a price reduction too but I doubt it.
Anyone been there - and gone through with it?
Had full building survey done which pointed to a number of small cracks in exterior render and a number of small cracks and blown plaster on inside walls. One door won't shut and there's higher than expected damp readings at the ground floor front. House is built on clay soil with some largish trees nearby and two more trees taken out in last 10 years.
But - what to expect from an old house on London clay and 1940's depth of foundations which are likely to be concrete trench and maybe just a metre deep? Hard to tell if surveyor is just covering his arse or there really is a problem as he's refusing to get into any discussion over degrees of severity or normality for the age of property or possible other causes such as thermal expansion or freezing water under the render causing the cracks.
One option is get a second opinion from a structural engineer.
Potentially seller could notify a suspected problem to his buildings insurer and start a monitoring process for a year or so but anybody got any idea how difficult it's going to be to insure in the future or if there's going to be difficulty with change of ownership with an ongoing claim?
Seller might have his arm twisted for a price reduction too but I doubt it.
Anyone been there - and gone through with it?
Cheers Chaps.
Apparently the property had been monitored for a while around 8 years ago after the removal of two conifers and movement of a rainwater soakaway to further away from the house. So insurance company must therefore be aware - vendor has never changed to another company - maybe because he can't get insurance anywhere else. Very possibly blighted then.
Spoke to structural Engineer this am. He said exactly the same as surveyor, wait and watch then decide course of action.
Going to have a chat with him later and a natter with the neighbours too. They've got big trees as well.
Apparently the property had been monitored for a while around 8 years ago after the removal of two conifers and movement of a rainwater soakaway to further away from the house. So insurance company must therefore be aware - vendor has never changed to another company - maybe because he can't get insurance anywhere else. Very possibly blighted then.
Spoke to structural Engineer this am. He said exactly the same as surveyor, wait and watch then decide course of action.
Going to have a chat with him later and a natter with the neighbours too. They've got big trees as well.
Been back now with very open eyes and a copy of survey. Vendor has reluctantly confirmed it's insurance blighted after previous episodes and cracking is far more widespread than I remembered.
Lovely house and perfect location though. In the light of what's become apparent contemplating a cheeky - no actually very rude offer and treating it as a major refurb.
Mrs JS hates caravans. We could have one in the front garden and live in it for a while...
Lovely house and perfect location though. In the light of what's become apparent contemplating a cheeky - no actually very rude offer and treating it as a major refurb.
Mrs JS hates caravans. We could have one in the front garden and live in it for a while... Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff