Why should coal mining affect my house purchase?

On a recent visit to the National Coal Mining Museum a retired miner told me the whole of Yorkshire is held up by steel props. Given the extent of coal mining during and after the industrial revolution this may not be as far fetched as it might sound.

Many abandoned mines have now been built over, but not all mine entries have been adequately capped. This means nearby properties may be at risk of damage caused by ground movement and sink holes.

The Coal Authority is responsible for ensuring mine entries are properly capped and remedying any damage caused by ground movement.

When purchasing a house in an area of past mining activity it is important to check with the Coal Authority whether the property is at risk of ground movement. It is also important to ensure compensation paid by the Coal Authority has been used to remedy any damage caused.

Your conveyancer will carry out these checks as part of the routine searches undertaken during a property purchase. Where necessary your lawyer will also help you obtain advice from a surveyor to ensure the steel props holding up your part of Yorkshire will stop your house falling into a sink hole.

For more information and advice, please contact our award-winning team by calling 0113 264 4414 or emailing conveyancing@emsleys.co.uk.