Environmental Risks to Check Before Buying a Property

Environmental Risks to Check Before Buying a Property

When buying a property, some of the most important information isn't visible from the outside. A property can look perfect during a viewing while its location may be exposed to environmental risks such as flooding, radon, noise or historic coal mining.

The challenge is that these risks come from different datasets and aren't always easy to find or interpret.

BeforeYouBuy.house brings seven different types of environmental risk together in one property report, helping you understand potential risks before making an offer.

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BeforeYouBuy.house brings environmental risk information together at property level, so you can research potential risks without searching across multiple sources.

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1. Flood risk

Flood risk is one of the most important environmental factors to investigate when buying a property. A property doesn't necessarily need to be next to a river to have flood exposure. Flooding can occur through different mechanisms, including rivers, surface water and coastal sources.

Data source: DEFRA's NAFRA2 national dataset. BeforeYouBuy.house uses this data to provide property-level information about potential flood risk associated with an address.

2. Radon risk

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter buildings from the ground. It cannot be seen or smelled, so its potential presence isn't something you can identify during a normal property viewing. Radon risk varies geographically, making location-based data useful when researching a property.

Data source: British Geological Survey's national 1km grid dataset. BeforeYouBuy.house uses this data to provide an indication of radon potential at the property's location.

3. Noise pollution

Noise can be an important consideration when buying a property, particularly in areas affected by transport or other sources of environmental noise. Looking at noise data can provide additional information about the environment surrounding a property.

Data source: DEFRA Lden noise data. BeforeYouBuy.house incorporates this information into its environmental risk assessment for the property.

4. Air quality

Air quality varies between locations and can change over time. Looking at air-quality information can provide additional context about the environment surrounding a property. Data source: UK-AIR DAQI daily forecast from the nearest monitoring station.

BeforeYouBuy.house uses the nearest monitoring station's daily forecast to provide an indication of local air quality.

5. Landfill risk

The location of historic landfill sites can be another environmental factor worth investigating. A nearby historic landfill site doesn't automatically mean there is a problem with a property, but knowing that one is nearby can provide useful information when researching the location.

Data source: Environment Agency Historic Landfill dataset. BeforeYouBuy.house uses this information to identify potential proximity to historic landfill sites.

6. Coal mining risk

Parts of the UK have a long history of coal mining. Historic mining activity can create potential risks associated with ground movement and subsidence. This is particularly relevant in areas with a history of coal mining.

Data source: Coal Authority's national planning constraints dataset. BeforeYouBuy.house uses this data to identify potential coal mining constraints associated with the property's location.

7. Invasive plants

Invasive plants, particularly Japanese knotweed, can be relevant when researching a property. Recorded sightings can indicate that further investigation may be worthwhile. A recorded sighting does not necessarily mean the plant is present on the property itself.

Data source: National Biodiversity Network Atlas. BeforeYouBuy.house incorporates this information into its environmental risk assessment.

Environmental risk data in one property report

BeforeYouBuy.house brings these seven environmental risk types together in one report:

• Flood
• Radon
• Noise
• Air quality
• Landfill
• Coal mining
• Invasive plants

Each risk is based on a specific underlying dataset and linked to the property you're researching. Instead of searching across multiple sources, you can enter an address and see the relevant environmental information in one place.

Know the risks before you buy.

Environmental risks aren't always visible from a property listing or viewing. BeforeYouBuy.house brings multiple environmental datasets together so you can investigate a property before making an offer.

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Built for property research

Property-level environmental risk data can also be useful for insurers, conveyancers, investors and portfolio managers assessing environmental exposure across properties. For a home buyer, the benefit is simple: see potential environmental risks associated with a property before deciding whether to pursue it.

Before you make an offer, know what you're buying.

Environmental risks aren't always obvious. BeforeYouBuy.house brings seven different environmental datasets together in one property report, making it easier to research potential risks before you buy.

Enter an address and get a property report from £24.99.

Analyse a property →