Subsidence

On the programme on Thursday 7 May 2026, we reported how subsidence is increasingly more common due to climate change, and how the ground on which your property is built can be crucial in determining the risk of subsidence.

Building Industry expert Roger Bisby showed how to check what your home is built on using the British Geological Survey.

The website is:

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/map-viewers/bgs-geology-viewer/

Solicitor Gary Rycroft also had the following advice:

• Getting a survey helps you understand the risk. A survey means an expert is confirming a property’s condition at a specific point in time. A survey is a first report in the event of an insurance claim
• Level 1 survey: A basic condition report, suitable for newer homes
• Level 2 survey: Suitable for conventional properties, without significant alterations
• Level 3 survey: A fuller building survey with in-depth information
• Check home insurance quotes before you purchase a property
• As a seller, you must declare subsidence issues.