Should I buy a house next to a substaion?

Hopejack

bungle - in surveyor's reports where properties adjoin or are next to a substation I believe they cannot categorically rule out any risk in particular to young children. Also, I believe legally they have to refer you to some research regarding the topic that does not rule out the risk. No one knows for sure hence no one will give a categoric 'no risk'.

Everyone is different but I think the fact that these properties invariably have a lower asking price reflects that some people are uneasy about buying there.

theartfullodger

but in the end decided against because of the potential risks to our young daughter.

Yeah, right...

If there is a risk (there may be, there may be not...) then if you are so concerned then presumably you'll turn off all the other sources of such radiation... - TVs, PCs, radios, lights, wiring, ovens, microwaves, kettles...


Cheers!

Lodger

princess275

i have one in a property about 15 metres away and its seems completely harmless.The ss is actually surrounded by 2 properties on either side, neither of which have a problem from it. i think the surveyor may have a duty to point it out as a matter of course. It doesnt mean its harmful.

DVardysShadow

googler wrote: »

Setting aside health concerns regarding living in a magnetic field, you'll need to be careful with any metal items dropped in the house - they won't drop to the floor, they'll fly toward, and stick to, the wall that borders the substation......

Don't store your magnetic media (cassette tapes, minidiscs, etc) or anything else that relies on a stable magnetic field on the wall that borders the substation, too!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

If you get a thicker tinfoil helmet, it might break your neck when you stick to the walls of a house next to a substation.

bubblybee

My father was an electrical engineer and would swear that substations are 'harmless' - especially when you consider it in relation to all the other stuff that people have in a house. Ok there is no conclusive evidence and most unknowns are generally treated by the precautionary principle.

We nearly bought a house next to an electricity pylon and went through the same arguments back and forth. In the end it was not so much about the unknowns to health but really in terms of selling it on. In the future you don't know what other houses people will be weighing yours up against. If there is one that doesn't come with a substation in the 'backgarden' people will choose that.

If you really like the house and are happy to balance this risk, make a lower offer on the basis that the £12K reduction was when you didn't know about the substation.

Good luck.

not_loaded

theartfullodger wrote: »

Yeah, right...
If there is a risk (there may be, there may be not...) then if you are so concerned then presumably you'll turn off all the other sources of such radiation... - TVs, PCs, radios, lights, wiring, ovens, microwaves, kettles...
Cheers!
Lodger

And of course never buy those cherished kids a mobile phone until they’re well past adolescence.

PS: Do you know what’s in a smoke alarm?

peachespeaches

For a few decades there has been concern about childhood leukaemia clusters around substations. I havent read the research I admit. But it HAS put me off buying a house near one.

tomstickland

and don't touch the SS itself or the fence round it...)

The fence is fine to touch.

martindow

Whether there is a real or just a perceived danger, there is no doubt that substations will rule properties out for some people. This should be reflected in the price as it will be harder to sell. If in the future a SS was found to be a health hazard it would seriously devalue the house.

poppysarah

I wouldn't.
If it causes you doubt about buying it, if you wanted to resell the same thoughts would go through the new buyers mind too.