Selling a home with Subsidence

Whether your property had subsidence in the past or you have just recently found out that there is a problem, it is no doubt causing you a headache.  Subsidence can not only be expensive to resolve but it can significantly push up insurance premiums and affect the saleability of a property. In extreme cases, subsidence damage can result in houses being uninhabitable while repairs are being carried out.

What is Subsidence? 

Subsidence is the downward movement of the ground supporting the building, meaning the foundations under your house become misaligned through sinking or caving in, threatening the structural integrity of the building.  Typically, it is most problematic in the warmer months as the lack of rain causes shrinkage of clay soils which expand and contract with changes in their moisture content.

Subsidence damage to buildings is most commonly identified by cracks in walls which are visible from both inside and outside the property, wider than 3mm, tapered and extending below the damp proof course.

Whilst it is not impossible to sell a home that has had, or currently has, subsidence, it can make it more challenging.  You will need a survey on your property to know whether the subsidence is historical or ongoing and the extent of it.

If it is historical then no improvements will need to be made.  However, this information will have to be disclosed to an estate agent if you are looking to sell, who in turn must inform any prospective buyers.

Unfortunately, subsidence can put some buyers off, even if it is historical and therefore can affect the selling price by approximately 20%, depending on the severity.