Insurance - walls moved = subsidence ?

[MulesMarinair]

Hi
I'm buying a detached house in Scotland. Its a c1880's, stone built two storey detached house.

Because I'm slightly green and the propery is old, I've had a fairly detailed survey carried out.
Most repairs came back as cosmetic ones, which is good, but one thing that I need to clarify is that he said the outside walls had shown slight signs of movement but this was long-standing and non-progressive.

And so, to insuring the place -

does the above constitute subsidence for insurance purposes or is to be expected with a house of its age?

The area isn't an area of subsidence or land-slip and the house has not required to be underpinned.

Apologies if the question sounds naive - (... told you that I'm green!)
Would appreciate any insights at all,

Cheers,

GT

 

[NT]

As long as its stable and hasnt moved for years, all is well. These things are prone to exist in some old houses.


NT

 

[Lime]

I agree with NT.
Your surveyor's report said "slight signs of movement but this was long-standing and non-progressive".
If it was subsidence your surveyor would have called it subsidence.

 

[Nemesis]

I assume the building currently has insurance - ask the vendor if they had any problems with this.

 

[Juju]

I had a similar phrase in my survey. I had no problem with getting insurance (used La Playa who advertise on this site). Make sure you read the relevant sentence out to potential insurers as many insurers like their tick-boxes (ie has it had subsidence yes or no). If you get someone sensible, then they will ask for a copy of the survey and understand that movement of long-standing is nothing to worry about.

 

[MulesMarinair]

Thanks all. Can't really ask the previous owner's as it is being sold off by a niece who just inherited the place. Will be up front with the insurers though. Thanks again.

(This website is a great resource btw, fair play to you all for keeping it so active and being so open with your advice.
I've been reading through the various posts and articles and its given me a great initial insight into something that I have little knowledge about and its helped me get some priorities in order. Well done)

 

[Nemesis]

Well the niece may be able to tell you who the insurers are, probably the building is still insured.

I don't think you will have a problem, but sometimes an insurer who has already insured the building (especially if they have paid for work to be carried out) will carry that on with a new owner.