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Subsidence

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cockatiel | 07:38 Fri 29th Feb 2008 | Law
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We have lived in our terraced house almost 40 years. An elderly gentleman lived in the house next door and had done little to his property since it was built in the early 1900's. We have done work to make our house secure and had our drains repaired. However,we have a crack in our wall from the top of the roof right down through the loft where it is widest,down through the landing and kitchen where we have made attempts over the years when decorating to unsuccessfully fill it up. It is as if the tenement part of the building is being pulled away from the main part of the house. The next door property was eventually purchased by a young couple who obviously couldn't afford to do any major structural work and were unaware of our problem. They panelled their kitchen wall and paved outside and effectively covered any existing problems. Then they sold to a young single mother, who,after 11 yrs has put the house on the market again. I spoke to the estate agent assuming that someone would survey the house and wonder why part of it's staircase upstairs wasn't level. They weren't interested. Other houses in our road have been underpinned. We are concerned that if we ever wanted to sell it might be difficult with our unsightly crack. I would welcome any advice.
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Get a surveyor to look at your house. Christ, was that such a difficult answer?????
mamjet dont be so god damm rude. cockatiel although majet is right when they get a surveyor to look at it. I know you have asked estate agents but sometimes better to go to the top. xx
How the hell was that rude? Maybe look in your mirror
and another rude post and stupid post, how would you know what I look like.
I was using the mirror as a metaphorical device for self-reflection. You. *******. Idiot.
Foul mouthed as well as rude
bad day mamjet? cheer up, its nearly the weekend :)
Not a bad day. I just got lured into arguing with a retard.
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Thanks both of you for your responses, but I wish you'd have your argument somewhere else!!
well last time I try and be nice. I'm not arguing
That was you being nice? Hahahaa! I bet you're divorced.
well you bet wrong. so as cockatiel asked get off his/her thread and go and annoy others if thats what you came for, Troll
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Thanks 4getmenot. You are the only one so far who has given any sensible advice. I'm not sure how much a surveyor would cost. I'm just hoping a surveyor will notice a problem and query it if he goes in next door. The house has changed hands 3 times since our elderly neighbour died and nobody has said anything yet.
ah yes, when the argument is lost, accuse the other guy of being a troll. very original.

i believe it was you he wished to leave. cant you read properly?
It would be best for you to contact a Structural Surveyor, as they can advise what the problem is, how the problem has occurred and how to remedy the problem.

A Surveyor will only be able to advise that there is a problem (clearly you can see that), but would recommend you to speak to a Structural Surveyor.

Good Luck
x
I assume you have a buildings insurance policy. (If you haven't, then you really do have a problem!) Part of these policies is almost always to give cover against subsidence. So look at the policy & contact your insurer. They will send a surveyor and it won't cost you anything, but if work has to be done you will have to pay the excess (on most policies this is �1000)

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