I was due to complete a week Friday but some problems have surfaced.
Coal mining report:
"The property is in the likely zone of influence from workings in 5 seams of coal at shallow to 140m depth, and last worked in 1921."
However no notice of the risk of subsidence has been given under section 46 of the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. The Coal Authority has not received a damage notice/claim since 1st January 1984.
Tomorrow I will find out if this is when records began and how far away these mines actually are. If they are near, building insurance will cost a lot more, and I'll pull out.
Evaluation (not survey or structural) said on the matter
Evidence of movement was observed in the form of cracking to the walls (plaster). This appears to be a minor defect which is not thought to have any serious structural significance.
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Solicitor has sent the coal mining report to the bank. If they request a full structural survey then I'm pulling out.
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The pre-fab external garage built when time began does not have planning permission. Built maybe 30yrs ago so retrospective permission should be easy enough. I've got to spend £147 on indemnity insurance to cover this, and the fact windows/gas/electrics don't have any data to support they are legal and the council could potentially visit and take them out (convent clause). The garage also has a local collection sewer pipe running under it. Potentially, if damage occurs to this pipe due to the garage I must pay or if access is requested to replace the pipe, the external garage must come down.
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I am taking a more knowledgeable person with me on Friday morning for a second inspection to determine the legality of the windows, electrics and gas installations. Seller (Northern Rock) has refused to pay for indemnity insurance and their solicitor has an £88.13 engrossment fee.
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If I bail now solicitor costs are only £45!!!, coal mining search was £39, no other costs.
Got to keep in retrospect it's costing £45k. It sold in 2005 for £85k, though that was overpriced.
Still, not sure if I should pull out anyway.
