HouseDossier
Mining Subsidence Check

Mining Subsidence Check UK -
What Lies Beneath Your Property

Over 1.5 million properties in England and Wales sit in the defined coalfield area. Check coal mining records and BGS ground stability data for any UK address - instantly.

Try a postcode (SW1A 2AA) or “12 SW1A 2AA”. Covers England and Wales.

Free preview always included. Full ground risk report from £9.95.

Why This Matters

Ground Risk Is the Hidden Threat in UK Property

Subsidence is the most costly home insurance claim in the UK, with average repair costs of £20,000 to £50,000 per property according to the Association of British Insurers. Yet most buyers have no idea whether the ground beneath their prospective purchase poses any risk until a structural survey reveals movement - by which point significant costs have already been committed.

The UK has two primary sources of ground risk relevant to residential property. Coal mining is the most extensively documented: the Coal Authority maintains records of over 170,000 mine entries (shafts, adits, and other access points) and the extent of underground workings across the historic coalfields. The second source is geological - the BGS GeoSure dataset identifies areas prone to shrink-swell clay movement, running sand, compressible ground, and dissolution.

1.5M+

properties in the defined coalfield area in England & Wales

Coal Authority

170K+

recorded mine entries (shafts & adits) in Coal Authority records

Coal Authority

£20–50K

average subsidence claim cost in the UK

ABI

20%

of UK homes at risk from shrink-swell clay movement (BGS)

BGS GeoSure

What HouseDossier Checks

Six Ground Risk Hazards - All Checked

Coal Mining Records

Coal Authority records of underground workings, mine entries (shafts and adits), and the coalfield boundary - the primary search for properties in former mining areas.

Shrink-Swell Clay

BGS data on clay soils that expand when wet and contract when dry, causing differential foundation movement. Particularly prevalent in London, Essex, Kent, and parts of the Midlands.

Running Sand

Loose, water-saturated sand that can flow under pressure - relevant for properties near rivers, estuaries, or with basement construction. BGS GeoSure running sand susceptibility rating.

Compressible Ground

Peaty, marshy or made-ground areas that compress under building loads, causing settlement over time. Common near river valleys, former marshland, and previously developed ('brownfield') sites.

Collapsible Deposits

Soils that collapse suddenly when saturated - including loess (wind-blown silt) found in parts of southern England and East Anglia. BGS collapsibility susceptibility index.

Dissolution (Karst)

Limestone, chalk, gypsum, and salt dissolution creating underground voids. Present in areas overlying the Chalk (East Anglia, Kent), Carboniferous Limestone (Peak District, Mendips), and Triassic gypsum (Ripon area).

How It Works

Your Ground Risk Report in Three Steps

01

Enter the property address

We geolocate the property by UPRN and extract precise grid coordinates for the building footprint. Ground risk data is location-specific - a few metres can make a significant difference in some areas.

02

Live queries to Coal Authority and BGS

We query the Coal Authority API and BGS GeoSure REST services simultaneously. Both datasets are authoritative government sources - the same data your conveyancing solicitor's search company uses.

03

Receive a clear risk rating for each hazard

Each of the six ground hazards is rated as negligible, low, moderate, or significant. The report explains what each rating means for the specific property - including whether a coal mining search or specialist survey is recommended.

Report Preview

What Your Mining & Subsidence Report Includes

  • Coalfield area designation (yes/no)
  • Proximity to nearest recorded mine entry (metres)
  • Underground workings extent below/near the property
  • Any historic Coal Authority claims or subsidence records
  • BGS GeoSure - shrink-swell clay susceptibility (1–5)
  • BGS GeoSure - running sand susceptibility (1–5)
  • BGS GeoSure - compressible ground susceptibility (1–5)
  • BGS GeoSure - collapsible deposits susceptibility (1–5)
  • BGS GeoSure - dissolution susceptibility (1–5)
  • BGS GeoSure - landslide susceptibility (1–5)
  • Recommendation: coal mining search required (yes/no)
  • Plain-English summary of overall ground risk

Pricing

One Report, One Price

Quick Check

£9.95per report
  • Coalfield area designation
  • BGS ground risk summary
  • Flood risk
  • EPC rating
  • Crime data
Get Quick Check
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Full Dossier

£19.95per report
  • Full BGS GeoSure 6-hazard profile
  • Mine entry proximity (metres)
  • Radon gas risk level
  • Contaminated land proximity
  • AI summary & red flags
Get Full Dossier

FAQ

Mining & Subsidence - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my property is in a former mining area?
The Coal Authority maintains a comprehensive digital record of all coal mine entries, workings, and shafts in Great Britain. Their interactive map (searchable by postcode) shows whether a property falls within the coalfield area. Our report queries the Coal Authority API directly and overlays BGS geological data to give you a combined ground risk assessment. High-risk areas include South Wales, the Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire coalfield, County Durham, Northumberland, and parts of Scotland.
What is BGS GeoSure and what does it measure?
BGS GeoSure is the British Geological Survey's national ground stability dataset. It assesses six hazards: shrink-swell clays (which expand when wet and contract when dry, causing foundation movement), landslides, running sand, compressible ground, collapsible deposits, and dissolution (where rock such as limestone dissolves, creating voids). Each hazard is rated on a 1–5 scale. Our report includes the full GeoSure profile for the property location.
Does mining subsidence affect insurance?
Yes, significantly. Properties in areas with a history of coal mining can face higher buildings insurance premiums, and some insurers may decline cover altogether or exclude subsidence-related damage. If you purchase a property in a former mining area, it is worth obtaining a specialist mining subsidence insurance policy. The Coal Authority also has a grant scheme for properties affected by historic coal mining subsidence in certain circumstances.
What is a coal mining search and when is it needed?
A coal mining search is a formal search of the Coal Authority records that reveals whether a property is in the coalfield area, the proximity to recorded mine entries (shafts and adits), whether there are any historic mining claims or unresolved subsidence reports, and whether any development restrictions apply. It is typically required by mortgage lenders for properties in the defined coalfield area. Our report covers the same source data for pre-offer due diligence.
My property has cracks in the walls - could this be mining subsidence?
Not necessarily - cracking in buildings can result from many causes including thermal movement, normal settlement, tree root damage, plumbing leaks, or ordinary shrink-swell clay movement. Mining subsidence tends to cause specific patterns: diagonal cracking, stair-step cracking in brickwork, doors and windows no longer square, or significant differential settlement. A structural engineer or RICS surveyor can assess cracking and advise on likely cause. Our report flags the ground risk profile, which can help direct a physical inspection.
Does shrink-swell clay affect the whole of England equally?
No. Shrink-swell clay is most prevalent in parts of south and east England where London Clay, Lias Clay, and Gault Clay underlie properties - particularly in outer London, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire and parts of Bedfordshire. Certain parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire also have significant clay deposits. The BGS GeoSure dataset maps susceptibility at a national scale, and our report identifies the specific risk level for the property's geological location.
Can I get a mortgage on a property in a high mining risk area?
Generally yes, though most lenders will require a formal coal mining search to be completed before proceeding. Some lenders will require a structural survey. Properties with active subsidence (ongoing movement) can be difficult to mortgage until the cause is identified and remediated. If the Coal Authority search reveals a recorded mine entry within 20 metres of the property boundary, specialist advice is usually needed before completion.

Check Ground Risk Now

Know what lies beneath before you buy

Enter any UK address for instant Coal Authority and BGS ground risk data.

Try a postcode (SW1A 2AA) or “12 SW1A 2AA”. Covers England and Wales.

Free preview included. Full ground risk report from £9.95.

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