Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Who can help advise about risks of buying a house on a hill?

Options
  • 17-04-2015 2:50pm
    #1
    pc00379
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭


    Hi all,
    We recently saw a house for sale on in the countryside. The house is on quite a steep hill - approx. 2/3 of the way down the hill - and a large field behind it.

    If we were to purchase we would get a Structural Engineer to inspect as part of a PrePurchase report. Would they look at flood risks? And the/any risk of the hills water causing any damage to the house / garden etc..?

    Is there any other type of professional I should think about getting involved?

    Appreciate any guidance or thoughts.


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,423 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    An engineer would be suitable. However, hills tend not to flood (short of being positioned next to a stream at the base of a mountain), unless there is some special circumstance.

    Hills are however subject to increased wind and frost / ice risks.


  • Options
    #3
    the_syco
    Registered Users Posts: 37,301 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    pc00379 wrote: »
    The house is on quite a steep hill - approx. 2/3 of the way down the hill
    Is there somewhere to park your car at the bottom of the hill, not on the road? You'll find yourself parking there for maybe a week or so every year when the add ice hits, and your car doesn't make it up the hill.


  • Options
    #4
    Arbiter of Good Taste
    Registered Users Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭Arbiter of Good Taste


    the_syco wrote: »
    Is there somewhere to park your car at the bottom of the hill, not on the road? You'll find yourself parking there for maybe a week or so every year when the add ice hits, and your car doesn't make it up the hill.

    Good point.

    Or alternatively, expect your next car to be a 4WD


  • Options
    #5
    vrusinov
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭vrusinov


    or get a set of winter tyres.


  • Options
    #6
    TheDriver
    Registered Users Posts: 12,514 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    4wd wont get you far in icy hills- snow would use 4wd however.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    vandriver
    Registered Users Posts: 3,462 ✭✭✭vandriver


    Sorry!
    https://youtu.be/KHotPZDGxx8


  • Options
    #8
    P. Breathnach
    Registered Users Posts: 12,089 ✭✭✭✭P. Breathnach


    If it's on the north side of the hill, your sunlight might be limited, and the house could be colder because of that. Conversely, the south side of a hill can be good. The caution about an icy access road applies far more to a house that has restricted sunlight.

    Is there a view to enjoy?

    Your neighbours will likely be aware whether you are home or not. Whether that is good or bad depends on the neighbours. We have neighbours who keep an eye on things for us when they notice that we are away.


  • Options
    #9
    Akrasia
    Registered Users Posts: 22,424 ✭✭✭✭Akrasia


    If the site isn't prepared properly, there could be additional risks of subsidence. You should definitely get an engineers report


Advertisement