Hi
I am in the process of buying a period house in dulwich.
We found out after initial enqueries the house had been underpinned 21 years ago after some subsidence with a central wall in the middle of the house.
About 5 years ago the house was extended and the wall that was underpinned was removed and the extension was fitted with deeper foundations.
I had read that the house would be more secure than a non under pinned house however given the wall that was underpinned was removed the previous underpinning apparently doesnt have any impact.
Our surveyor has advised that there are cracks to some of the walls these appear to be the result of normal seasonal movement rathsr than anything they are currently concerned about.
However, they said it is at high risk of future subsidence due to:
- the previous issue
- being an end of terrace
- the house having shallow foundations other than the extension
- being on london clay
- having two trees close by that are outside of the boundaries of the property (one a few metres away on the pavement and anotjer in a neighbours rear garden)
We are considering whether to pull out but really like the area and house and other properties in the area may well have similar levels of risk (although the surveyor was clear this house had a greater risk than many pthers in the area).
Mainly concerned about the prospect of losing money on it should the subsidence re occur given so many places online talk about significant reductions in house prices with subsidence and its quite possible we would want to move after 5 years for more space
Just wondering what other peoples attitudes to such issues are and whether you would be likely to buy a house with a high risk of subsidence? If so, would it impact on the amount you were willing to offer.
Thanks
