Pylons near Homes and Downvaluation

240187andrew

Hi All
We are in the process of attempting to purchase a property which is in close proximity to a pylon. The lenders valuation has considered this pylon a risk. The price we have agreed for the house has been devalued by £28k because of this. 
Do pylons have this level of negative effect and is there an updated report which supports the case that pylons are no longer considered a risk? I can find a report for Ireland but was looking specifically for a report in England to support my applications appeal. 

davidmcn

The "risk" is to the value because of public perception, whether that's rational or not. And even if you don't think pylons are frying your branes, they're a bit ugly. I doubt an appeal is worthwhile, why not use the valuation to justify a reduction in the price?

GDB2222

Personally, I wouldn't buy a house next to a pylon. I don't like the hum and the electric field makes me feel uneasy. I'd probably get used to these if I had to, but I'd certainly expect to pay less for the house. 

The risk is that, one day, somebody publishes a report showing that pylons really are bad for you 

pinkshoes

The problem is that no one is sure of the effect of magnetic/electrical fields produced by the pylons on health. It is thought to lower sperm count, and can cause headaches. Some think it can cause cancer... 

But there is no definite evidence either way. 

Personally I hate the humming noise they make and would never buy a house so close to a pylon.

And herein lies your problem - the stigma and therefore the reduced market for houses near pylons which would thus lower the value. 

[Deleted User]

How nearby is the pylon?

AdrianC

What sort of "pylon" are we talking?

A full-fat 400kV distribution pylon?


Or local 11kV?

pinkshoes said:

The problem is that no one is sure of the effect of magnetic/electrical fields produced by the pylons on health. It is thought to lower sperm count, and can cause headaches. Some think it can cause cancer... 

But there is no definite evidence either way. 

ITYM there's no evidence whatsoever of harm... but that doesn't shut the conspiracy theorists up...
(See also: Mobile Phones -> 3G -> 4G -> 5G)

davidmcn

pinkshoes said:

The problem is that no one is sure of the effect of magnetic/electrical fields produced by the pylons on health. It is thought to lower sperm count, and can cause headaches. Some think it can cause cancer... 

But there is no definite evidence either way. 

The absence of any adverse evidence despite the fact we've had widespread distribution of high voltage lines for about a century kinda suggests it's pretty safe.

GDB2222

davidmcn said:

pinkshoes said:

The problem is that no one is sure of the effect of magnetic/electrical fields produced by the pylons on health. It is thought to lower sperm count, and can cause headaches. Some think it can cause cancer... 

But there is no definite evidence either way. 

The absence of any adverse evidence despite the fact we've had widespread distribution of high voltage lines for about a century kinda suggests it's pretty safe.

I entirely agree with you. On the other hand, people have been setting fire to 5G phone masts because of Covid.  Besides that, the really high voltage lines do have a noticeable hum.

The OP hasn't said what the purchase price is. A down-valuation of £28k on £100k  is a wildly different percentage than on £1m.

Personally, I wouldn't be arguing with the valuer.  Even if you win an appeal, who is to say that your buyer's valuer, when you want to sell, won't agree with the first valuer?

davidmcn

GDB2222 said:

davidmcn said:

pinkshoes said:

The problem is that no one is sure of the effect of magnetic/electrical fields produced by the pylons on health. It is thought to lower sperm count, and can cause headaches. Some think it can cause cancer... 

But there is no definite evidence either way. 

The absence of any adverse evidence despite the fact we've had widespread distribution of high voltage lines for about a century kinda suggests it's pretty safe.

I entirely agree with you. On the other hand, people have been setting fire to 5G phone masts because of Covid.  

Indeed, I wouldn't want to live next to a 5G mast (because there might be idiots setting fire to it!).

AdrianC

GDB2222 said:
On the other hand, people have been setting fire to 5G phone masts because of Covid.

This country has never been short of idiots. We seem to be replete currently, though, even by normal standards.

Besides that, the really high voltage lines do have a noticeable hum.

Yes, there can be an audible hum in certain weather conditions. But it's not harmful.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-causes-the-noise-emi/

martindow

Whether people are right or wrong about the effects of living near a pylon is immaterial.  It will put some people off buying and therefore decrease the value compared to the same house with no nearby powerlines.