Age and other Indicators of Building being Earthquake Proof?

[Confuzius]

Hey Yall,

So wife and I are looking at moving into a nice skinny 6 story house in Dakeng. It is in a large housing unit, not an isolated thing, though it is on the side of a mountain.

Being that it is: on the side of a mountain, in dakeng, in Taiwan, etc, I would like to make sure (as much as possible, this IS Taiwan) that it is fairly earthquake safe.

I would like some ideas on how to judge this. I am guessing age is a factor. Being that it all the housing units are still in good condition and standing even though it is in Dakeng and on the side of a mountain would indicate it is either safe or built after the 911 (910? I dunno) huge earthquake.

Any other indicators and things to look for would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Mucha Man]

No, neither criteria is relevant. There are buildings on the slopes across from me that were built pre-921, survived but were heavily damaged. All the locals know that and for years rent was really cheap. In the last couple years, as people forget, and the obvious damage covered up, the rents have gone up.

I know of a huge new community going in near Luzhou built on soft muddy ground. Maybe its safe but none of the locals will buy there according to my teacher who is from the area.

One of the safest buildings I know was my wife's mothers old place. 30 years old. Built on bedrock and supervised during construction it was steady as can be during the 921 earthquake. MIL hardly felt a thing.

You need to do some investigation, ask around, find out if the area had problems, is known to be stable, hire an inspector, etc. The government has reports on all the unstable housing units in the country. There are literally thousands but they won't release the report. Not sure if you can access it privately.

[Belgian Pie]

Living in a house near a mountain slope is always risky/dangerous in any country and it doesn't matter how old the building is ...

[Icon]

There is a place near my house that was designed by a German architect. I'd buy in that place. There is anotehr fancy place that was built over silt sediment and everyone says it will topple over the river. I wouldn't buy there. How do I know these things? The neighbors. Make friends in the community, do your due research in gossip, someone has to know. I woudn't rely that much on official stuff, if it exists at all. They have a list of radiated rebar buildings, but homes like that still appear. They have a law against selling "haunted" properties and yet we see the sales on the news all the time.

[adikarmika]

I'm about to sign a contract with an agent in order to start negotiations over the price of a 30 y.o. property.

In order to try to get it for a lower price, I will argue that, in it's current condition, it's unsafe in a large earthquake due to the obvious major structural damage in one of the columns and one of the beams (as a result of water and general neglect), which will cost a lot of money to get repaired.

In fact, there are eight other good columns, and the fact that it directly adjoins another property on one side provides further support. So I think it's actually pretty safe.
(But naturally I won't mention that to the owner.)

[Mucha Man]

There is a place near my house that was designed by a German architect. I'd buy in that place.

I'd buy it if Germans built it.

In China you see communities with the faces of European architects splashed over the posters. But it's still peasant builders. Funny but the architects seem to know it too as every one has a pained pinched look on his face as if to say "this is NOT the building I designed!"

[Confuzius]

hanks for the replies everyone, especially MM (who, even if we disagree sometimes over issues, his opinion on practical things like this is always rock solid....hopefully my new home is the same!)

I will do my homework, the housing complex has a name, I will see if I can plug that in online and find anything. The place IS dirt cheap...but its dakeng and most places here are, except for the complexes with golden gates (houses there run for about 25000 a month, this place....after negotiating down from 15000, the kinda standard price for such a places, is 12500/month).

I will also ask the locals if they know anything. You guys know anyone in Taichung who knows a lot about places here in Dakeng that might have some inside info? Thanks again!

[Belgian Pie]

I'm about to sign a contract with an agent in order to start negotiations over the price of a 30 y.o. property.

In order to try to get it for a lower price, I will argue that, in it's current condition, it's unsafe in a large earthquake due to the obvious major structural damage in one of the columns and one of the beams (as a result of water and general neglect), which will cost a lot of money to get repaired.

In fact, there are eight other good columns, and the fact that it directly adjoins another property on one side provides further support. So I think it's actually pretty safe.
(But naturally I won't mention that to the owner.)

I don't think that the owner cares much about your argument if he is in no hurry to sell the place ... Taiwanese owners have time on their side ... sooner or later a buyer will show up paying the right price ...

[Icon]

There is a place near my house that was designed by a German architect. I'd buy in that place.

I'd buy it if Germans built it.

In China you see communities with the faces of European architects splashed over the posters. But it's still peasant builders. Funny but the architects seem to know it too as every one has a pained pinched look on his face as if to say "this is NOT the building I designed!"

ehem, he supervised the building... for the Catholic church. At least if it falls on you, you'll die in grace! No, really, it is a very sturdy, well built piece., as reliable as allowable.

[Mucha Man]

There is a place near my house that was designed by a German architect. I'd buy in that place.

I'd buy it if Germans built it.

In China you see communities with the faces of European architects splashed over the posters. But it's still peasant builders. Funny but the architects seem to know it too as every one has a pained pinched look on his face as if to say "this is NOT the building I designed!"

ehem, he supervised the building... for the Catholic church. At least if it falls on you, you'll die in grace! No, really, it is a very sturdy, well built piece., as reliable as allowable.

In that case, you have my blessing.