Insurance options - Possible subsidence on pre-purchase survey

Squidgem

Hello,

I would love to hear if anyone has had a similar experience to me and what you have done about it.

We had a pre-purchase survey done on a house we hope to buy (red-brick, mid-terrace) which showed up some cracks to the rear render around window lintels. The surveyor, as they do, recommended we get the cracks investigated further in case of subsidence. Although it could just be settlement. We have approached the vendor and he claims the cracks have been there since he bought the house but can't provide any further assurance/certification.

A builder friend has looked at the cracks and he feels they are nothing to worry about (although not technically qualified to advise). Said there might be minor subsidence/foundation movement and worst case would cost 5-6k few to remediate. We are getting a drain survey done next week but have no other option to investigate further/dig until the house is sold. If drains are fine, we are happy enough to proceed, investigate and remediate ourselves if needed.

My only concern at the moment is house insurance.
- Do we have to declare the cracks and the potential for any (minor) subsidence to insurance companies? In which case, they may not quote.
- Has anyone managed to convince a vendor to allow diggin/ drill bore holes ahead of sale closure?
- If it is subsidence, is the vendor's current insurance company obliged to continue offering insurance on the property?

Hoping our solicitor might be able to give some guidance but if anyone has had a similar experience, it would be great to hear your thoughts too.

Thanks in advance.

Squidge

BryanF

Will the mortgage lender accept that there may be no insuarance cover on the property regarding subsidence.. You'd have a lot of convincing to do at the moment imo

RORY O CONNOR

The cracks could be simply in the render owing to shrinkage if no provision has been made for expansion/contraction of the render. If the cracks are hairline at lintel level it is possibly due to the fact that at the corners you get concentration of stresses and these stresses cause cosmetic cracks.

If its a subsidence issue the cracks should be running from the ground to the base of the window, the cracking then continues either directly above or as a diagonal across the window opening from the lintel upwards to the sill of an upstairs window.