Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:   What is a mining report?

A Coal Authority mining report identifies the environmental and stability risk arising from any past, current and future underground and surface coal mining activity that affects a property. This includes subsidence claims, reported hazards and mine gas emissions. From 21st October 2006 all Coal Authority mining reports in England and Wales also include information from the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board (CBSCB) identifying if the property has been the subject of a claim for subsidence damage caused by brine extraction. Coal Authority mining reports are fully endorsed by the Law Society of England & Wales, and the Law Society of Scotland, and answer all the enquiries that are necessary to be made in order to fulfil the due diligence requirements of the Law Society’s CON29M 2006 edition search scheme (ScotForm 2006 in Scotland).

Q2:   What is a ground stability report?

A Coal Authority ground stability report provides all the coal mining and brine subsidence claim search information outlined in Q1 above, together with property specific information in simple language on the potential hazards related to natural subsidence throughout Great Britain. This report fully satisfies both the Law Society’s due diligence requirements under CON29M 2006 edition (ScotForm 2006 in Scotland) and the Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 (Purchasers Information Pack in Scotland).

Q3:   Why do I need a Mining Report?

Please see our  Mining Overview  section for information which explains why coal mining and brine subsidence claim search information is required.

Q4:   Why do I need a Ground Stability Report?

Please see our  Ground Stability Report overview  information which explains why ground stability reports are considered to be essential for those assembling Home Information Packs (HIPS) and anyone considering buying, selling or developing any property or site anywhere in Britain.

Q5:   What are the benefits of the ground stability report?

The benefits of the ground stability report to homebuyers and their professional representatives are:

Q6:   How do I know what searches are available for the property I am interested in?

Please access the  Coal Authority’s Online Search Service to check what searches are recommended for the property you are interested in.

Q7:   How much does a report cost?

A mining report for a residential property costs £18.00 + £3.15 VAT, total = £21.15 if it is ordered and returned online, as against £22.55 + £3.95 VAT, total = £26.50 for searches made by post or telephone. A report for a non-residential property, commercial or site search (up to a maximum of 25 hectares in extent) costs £42.55 + £7.45 VAT, total = £50.00. For every additional 25 hectares, charges will be increased by a further £42.55 + £7.45 VAT, total = £50.00.  No Search Required reports cost £8.51 + £1.49 VAT, total = £10.00. (on-line customers only).

A ground stability report for a residential property, ordered and returned online, costs £19.00 + £3.33 VAT, total = £22.33 (off coalfield areas) or £29.00 + £5.08 VAT, total = £34.08 (on coalfield areas), compared to £33.19 + £5.81 VAT, total = £39.00 for searches made by post or telephone (on/off coalfield areas).  A report for a non-residential, commercial or site search (up to a maximum of 25 hectares in extent) costs £59.00 + £10.33 VAT, total = £69.33 if it is ordered and returned online and £68.09 + £11.92 VAT, total = £80.00 for searches made by post or telephone.  For every additional 25 hectares, charges will be increased by a further £59.00 + £10.33 VAT, total = £69.33 if ordered online or £68.09 + £11.92 VAT, total = £80.00 if ordered by post or telephone.

Further information on report costs is available in the  Scale of Charges  section.

Q8:   How do I apply for searches?

Please access the Coal Authority’s Online Search Service to obtain your report. Alternatively you can obtain a report by telephone or by  writing to the Coal Authority .

Q9:  Why has the report I ordered using the online service not arrived?

The majority of reports are returned within 24 hours, the remainder within 72 hours. Registered users of the service are able to check their Order History and  view the status of ordered reports. If you have not received your report within 72 hours, you can download/re-email the reports yourself by logging onto the website and downloading or re-emailing a further copy of the search.

Q10: What do I do if I have concerns about the information in my report?

If your query is service related  please contact our Helpline .

If you have queries or concerns about the information provided in the report then your solicitor, lender or estate agent can advise if further enquiries are necessary. In most areas there are also experienced mining surveyors and structural engineers able to advise on the occurrence, effect and remedies available to deal with any mining and non-mining related instability or related issues highlighted in the report.

Q11: How do I become a Registered User?

Register online using the  ´Register For Service´  link from the home page. This enables you to enter the system with a User ID and Password, and for reports to be dispatched to you using pre-recorded address details. Other benefits include:

Q12: How do I apply for a monthly invoiced account?

To apply for an account please select the Invoice (pending) option as your preferred method of payment, when registering or amending your account details. This will automatically notify the Authority to send out the credit agreement form to you.

Q13: Where can I find my account number?

Login to the property search service website as usual, then click onto Change Your Billing Details.  Your individual account number (Billing Account Code) is shown at the top of the screen starting with the prefix 613.

Q14: Can I still use the site if I am running Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4?

You may still use the service to check if a mining report is required when running Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4 and above. Customers with invoiced accounts can use the service to order and receive reports online, when using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4. However our site is currently only fully compatible for the purchasing of reports online (via WorldPay) with Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5.0 and above.

Q15: How can I upgrade my Internet browser?

Upgrades can be obtained from the relevant providers' web sites:

Q16: What is the difference between the residential and non-residential searches offered?

The residential property search report should be selected for standard, residential property transactions. If this does not apply to the property in question, you will need to order a non-residential report. The residential property search report answers questions 1 to 12 of the current CON29M 2006 edition Law Society Scheme search form (questions 1 to 11 on ScotForm 2006). All residential property searches include insurance cover. If the search is for an existing single unit residential property and the homeowner intends having a conservatory or an extension built, then the residential search should still be appropriate. If major development works are intended then a non-residential search should be made.

The non-residential property search report should be selected for non-domestic properties, i.e. non-residential, commercial or development and other sites.  The non-residential property search report answers questions 1 to 15 of the current CON29M 2006 edition Law Society Scheme search form (questions 1 to 13 on ScotForm 2006). The residential property search insurance does not cover non-residential or commercial land or property, or development sites.

All residential and non-residential ground stability reports provided by the Coal Authority in collaboration with British Geological Survey (BGS), will answer all the relevant enquiries made under the Law Society’s CON29M 2006 edition (or ScotForm 2006 edition, as appropriate)  together with itemised details of whether the property is in an area where the BGS advise that shrinkable clay, running sand, compressible deposits, collapsible deposits, potential landslide activity or soluble rocks are present, the risks to the property together with professional advice from BGS as to what this means for the homeowner and their representatives.  All residential searches will include insurance cover.  Additional advice from BGS will be included depending on the property specific reported circumstances.

Q17: What is an Interpretive Report?

Where reference to a coal mine entry is made in a mining report or in a ground stability report it has been recognised that the increased perception of risk associated with the disclosure of a shaft or mine adit can impact upon the progress of the sale. The Coal Authority has introduced the Interpretive Report in order to provide additional information that it is hoped will assist purchasers, lenders and other interested parties in the decision making process. An Interpretive Report is only available where:

Please note that it may not be possible to produce a report if the main building to the property cannot be identified from Coal Authority plans (ie: for development sites and new builds).

The report provides a separate assessment for each mine entry referred to in this Report. In carrying out this risk assessment, the Authority will take account of the geology beneath the property (based on additional data provided by the British Geological Survey where the Authority's data is incomplete), the possible difference between the actual and plotted position of the mine entry, its source, likely size and any treatment works that the Authority is aware of. Where the report indicates that there is a risk, the level of risk is assessed, and details of any remedies available are provided.

Q18: What is the Brine Compensation District?

Formed by the Cheshire Brine Pumping (Compensation for Subsidence) Act 1952 as a District within which a person can serve a notice on the Brine Board if they think their property has suffered damage resulting from subsidence caused by extraction of brine.  You can   and use our free-of-charge screening service at www.groundstability.com  to see if a search is recommended.

Q19: What is the Brine Consultation Area?

Defined under section 38 of the 1952 Act as areas which in the opinion of Brine Board are subsiding or liable to subside and where the local planning authority for such areas must consult the Brine Board before determining any application for Planning Permission, approval of plans or Building Regulation applications.  

Q20: What is a Prescribed Notice or a Notice of Damage?

Both these terms mean the same, i.e. a notice served on the Brine Board by the freeholder or long lease holder informing them that in their opinion the property or land has suffered damage resulting from subsidence caused by the extraction of brine. 

This document is a pro-forma giving brief details of the owner, property and occupancy . The term ‘prescribed notice’ is set out under the 1964 Act section 3 (4) and states that the Board may prescribe the form of any notice to be given when informing the Board of damage. 

Q21: What is a Notice of Purchase?

A  Notice of Purchase is a pro-forma which transfers the rights under a notice of damage from the owner who served the notice on to the new owner of the property.

Q22: What is a Commutation?

A commutation payment is a payment made under section 32 of the 1952 Act, when in the opinion of the Brine Board the damage is likely to recur, be permanent or to continue, the Brine Board may pay a once and for all sum for past, present and future damage or for a number of years as they think the ongoing damage may continue instead of being claimed from time to time. The method of commutation used by the Brine Board is currently for past, present and future damage only and the sum given is the open market value of the property in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) guidelines assuming there is no damage to the property.

Q23: What if I have a query about the information from British Geological Survey on the potential for natural ground movement at my property?

Any service related queries should be directed to:

The Coal Authority
Ground Stability Reports
200 Lichfield Lane
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG18 4RG
DX 716176 Mansfield 5

Telephone: 0845 7626 848
Fax: 01623 637338
Email: groundstability@coal.gov.uk
Web:  www.groundstability.com

Any technical queries on the content of the report should be directed to:

British Geological Survey
Keyworth
Nottingham
NG12 5GG

Telephone: 0115 9363143
Fax: 0115 9363276
Email: enquiries@bgs.ac.uk
Web:  www.bgs.ac.uk