It is commonly recognised that the presence of trees which are well maintained and located appropriately on a highway or in the garden can significantly increase the value of a property and enhance the amenity of an area.
However, they can also cause significant damage to a property where trees have been poorly sited or where specific soil conditions exist. Damage may be due to roots undermining foundations or direct contact from another part of a tree.
Estimates suggest that subsidence claims are costing the insurance industry £500 million per annum. Unfortunately many mature trees have been removed without adequate arboricultural justification, simply because they were within close proximity to the buildings and often the underlying problem has not been solved.
It is becoming increasingly common for homebuyers to be required to provide tree reports by insurance companies or mortgage lenders. Since 1st June 2007 following the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPS), the commissioning of tree related reports in order to secure a mortgage or insurance in becoming increasingly frequent.
Wharton Arboriculture provides Homebuyers Mortgage and Insurance Reports in accordance with the Arboricultural Mortgage and Insurers Users Group (AMIUG) for which we are member of. This is widely recognised as best practice and accepted by all mortgage lenders and insurers.
Reports are produced in a standard format and cover risks to the structural integrity of a property from tree/vegetation, related subsidence and tree failure.
Our reports provide the following information:
Tree survey details including species, height, spread, diameter, distance from structure
Tree condition
Recommended tree work operations
Further recommendations detailed investigation of soil type
This approach is generally cost effective as it ensures that the purchaser is providing their lender with the correct information, therefore avoiding excessive spending where it is unnecessary. Similarly, a brief assessment can be instrumental in identifying where future risk may be beyond reasonable limits and therefore allowing the purchaser an opportunity to withdraw or negotiate.
All of our reports for mortgage purpose are prepared and delivered electronically within 48 – 72 hours of formal instruction.
Insurance and Subsidence Investigation
Trees can be implicated in building related subsidence claims very often with partial or inconclusive evidence. Building subsidence is caused when underlying soil is subject to volumetric change i.e. shrinkable clay soils. Trees can play a part in this process with the extraction of moisture however it is important that the extent of involvement is explored.
Wharton Arboriculture offers specialist technical expertise where trees (or other woody vegetation) have been implicated in subsidence damage to property. Our consultants work independently, or as part of a team of specialists, to systematically explore all avenues to identify the actual problem. The investigation process can be complex and wide ranging and may include: desk based research; elimination of other factors; interpretation of crack and level monitoring data; field data capture; soil analysis; root starch testing; DNA lab testing.
