Buying House in area affected by Radon Gas

J_Devon

As above, I wouldn't worry too much. I live in Plymstock, and am about to move to another place in Plymstock and had a similar warning in my survey results and searches. Get the tests done, but don't panic about it.

Is it a solid ground floor do you know? If it's suspended, i.e floor boards with a gap down to the ground, make sure you have air bricks present in the external walls and ensure they're not covered over etc.

ethank

I got a warning on my search and was able to get a report online immediately, which said there was not any!

Francesanne

J_Devon wrote: »

As above, I wouldn't worry too much. I live in Plymstock, and am about to move to another place in Plymstock and had a similar warning in my survey results and searches. Get the tests done, but don't panic about it.

Is it a solid ground floor do you know? If it's suspended, i.e floor boards with a gap down to the ground, make sure you have air bricks present in the external walls and ensure they're not covered over etc.

Thanks for that advice. The house we're buying has Living room & kitchen on ground floor and you go downstairs to bedrooms & bathroom. Garden is tiered over 2 levels. Good luck with your move.

littlesnuggy

ethank wrote: »

I got a warning on my search and was able to get a report online immediately, which said there was not any!

The report you got online would have said that you were in a 'lower risk area', where it has been estimated that less than 1% of homes will be affected by elevated levels. This is not the same as a test that proves there is none. I am aware of properties that have been tested anyway even though they are in so called lower-risk areas which have had high levels.

OP - it sounds as if the new house might be split-level. If this is the case, you should definitely test it as having walls in communication with the ground (as well as the floor) increases the potential for radon entry.

lemontart

My buyer had this come up in this, and now at 11th hr so to say as his conyenacing has taken weeks -everything else done, He is also planing to knock down the conservatories and put up a two story extension - so no idea what is best way forward, - at point of us trying to discuss between us then just tell solicitors what we have agreed as they are taking nearly 3/4 weeks to respond to mine on anything. - If I have to do a retention bond - who writes the contract for this i.e. his solicitor or mine - and does it have to be done before exchange.

AnotherJoe

Ridiculous that people are panicking about this but will happily walk along pavements where buses and cars are belching out noxious diesel fumes which are probably 100x worse (and you cant do anything about either)

Whats the relevance of your buyer knocking down a conservatory and putting up a 2 storey extension?????

lemontart

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Ridiculous that people are panicking about this but will happily walk along pavements where buses and cars are belching out noxious diesel fumes which are probably 100x worse (and you cant do anything about either)

Whats the relevance of your buyer knocking down a conservatory and putting up a 2 storey extension?????

because tests cannot be carried out during building works and invalidates such if done. If any of purchase price is with held then will be lot longer and his works could disturb any so to say . least that is what I am reading.

Glover1862

I had this come up on a purchase in Kettering, been told a lot of Northamptonshire has this issue, no houses would sell if its such a major problem. My place has been tested and I'm waiting for the test results from the solicitors, not too worried about it as solicitors say it comes up on nearly every search for the area.


Your local solicitor should already be aware of it, what area are you in?

LittleMax

lemontart wrote: »

because tests cannot be carried out during building works and invalidates such if done. If any of purchase price is with held then will be lot longer and his works could disturb any so to say . least that is what I am reading.

So get solicitors to write into agreement that test would have to be carried out within first 3 months of purchasing the property.

frugalsmurf

We had this on it survey and apparently it's common in certain areas. I have to admit I'd never heard of it as we've lived in a different area.

Our solicitor said there's 1-3% chance of a house having it in that area but the testing takes too long to hold up the house buying process. They said we could ask sellers solicitors to retain some money in case it is affected but it highly unlikely they'll agree.