Arboricultural Mortgage and Insurance Reports

However, they can also cause significant damage to a property where trees have been poorly sited or where specific soil conditions exist. Property damage may result from roots undermining foundations or direct contact from 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.

Since 1st June 2007 when Home Information Packs (HIPS) were introduced it has become increasingly common for insurance companies or mortgage lenders to required homebuyers to provide tree reports in order to secure a mortgage or insurance.

Wharton Arboriculture provides Homebuyers Mortgage and Insurance Reports in accordance with the specifications laid down by the Arboricultural Mortgage and Insurers Users Group (AMIUG), of which we are member. This is widely recognised as best practice and accepted by all mortgage lenders and insurers.

Reports are produced in a standard format and identify risks to the structural integrity of a property from trees/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
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 future risk, 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, but often the evidence is partial or inconclusive. 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 tree 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 the situation in order to accurately identify the cause of the 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.