Don't be scared to buy a home that's been underpinned. When a building suffers form subsidence, it has to be underpinned, and the foundations are reinforced (most commonly by pouring in mass concrete).
But don't worry – if the work has been done property, then your home is probably the strongest structure in the street.
You should however, make sure you've got all the relevant paperwork together to make sure you're legally and financially covered. And insurance considerations are, of course, essential. When the subsidence was first noticed, a structural engineer would almost certainly have investigated and his report should be made available together with details of remedial work and repairs. In most cases, subsidence is the subject of a claim on a buildings insurance policy so sight of the insurer's loss adjustor's report is useful.
Contractors are likely to have guaranteed their work for up to 30 years and the guarantee should be passed to you.
Work may have needed local authority building regulations approval, so your solicitor should get this and check it.
Copy all documents to your surveyor, your structural engineer for advice and comments if necessary, and your mortgage lenders for them to refer to their valuer.
It's vital you can get buildings insurance.
With the right paperwork and no recurrence of subsidence, this shouldn't be a problem.
But it's best to take out cover with the current owner's insurers. They know the case and probably paid for the repairs – and wouldn't have if they were unhappy.
Philip Popeck is a Partner at Curry Popeck solicitors.
Call him on 020 8907 2000, or email him at philipp@currypopeck.com
|
