Mortgage, Subsidence & Insurance
Wharton offers specialist technical expertise where trees (or other woody vegetation) have been implicated in subsidence damage to a property. Our consultants work independently, or as part of a team of specialists, to systematically explore all avenues to identify the actual problem.
Mortgage & Homebuyers Reports
It is becoming increasingly common for homebuyers to be required to provide tree reports by insurance companies or mortgage lenders. Wharton provide Homebuyers Mortgage and Insurance Reports in accordance with the Arboricultural Mortgage and Insurers Users Group (AMIUG) for which we are a member of. This is widely recognised as best practice and accepted by all mortgage lenders and insurers.
This approach ensures that the purchaser is providing their lender with the correct information, therefore avoiding excessive spending where it is unnecessary. Similarly, an assessment can be instrumental in identifying where future risk may be beyond reasonable limits and therefore allowing the purchaser an opportunity to withdraw or negotiate.
All of our reports for mortgage purpose are prepared and delivered electronically within 24 – 48 hours of formal instruction.


Tree Related Subsidence
Trees can be implicated in building related subsidence claims, often with only partial or inconclusive evidence. 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 involvement is explored.
Trees can cause damage to structures in one of two ways:
- Directly – where actual contact between the tree and the structure leads to damage occurring.
- Indirectly – such as tree subsidence. Tree-related subsidence can occur when tree roots remove moisture from clay-based soils, which can subsequently shrink, through volumetric change. This can cause downward movement of structures leading to expensive repairs and possible underpinning.
Let’s get started!
We provide the natural advice you need to successfully balance commercial, environmental and human needs, naturally increasing the true value of your land or property.
Our highly qualified team can help you find the most successful natural-infrastructure solutions; minimise the risk to users of their land, form plans to improve ecology and advise construction companies how to work safely around their site.
Understanding the complete constraints and opportunities of any site, whether it be arboricultural, ecological or topographical to name but a few elements, is critical in order to design and plan a successful proposal.
Let’s begin!
Please let us know your contact information alongside with some details about the project
Wharton undertook an initial bat survey which identified suitable areas for roosting bats and evidence of bat activity (droppings).
Wharton undertook a preliminary ecological appraisal, bat activity and emergence/return to roost surveys, and completed a shadow Habitat …
Wharton undertook an initial bat survey which identified suitable areas for roosting bats and evidence of bat activity (droppings).
“Barberry has always found the Wharton team to be knowledgeable and efficient in their input backed with a commercially realistic approach to the development process”
M P Winters - Construction Director, Barberry Group Limited