Buying a House

Since 2013, as part of any house sale, the Local Authority & the Law Society introduced the disclosure of Information regarding Radon Gas. In the first instance ask the Estate Agent if their client has a 90-Day Radon Test Report dated within the past 10 years.

If they have not had the property tested, then you can request a 7-Day Screening Test be undertaken (which is used when dealing with time restraints) to indicate if any further action is required. If the results come back above 75 Bqm³, you can request a £2500 retention sum be withheld from the proceeds of the sale to initiate a Radon Action Plan.

The action plan includes as follows:

• Undertake a 90 Day radon test to establish the radon concentration levels with the property over a longer period of time
• If the results are above 200 Bqm³ the retention sum will be used to mitigate the radon issue
• Following the fitting of the mitigation system, another 90 Day test is required to ensure the system is effective and reducing the radon levels within the property
• Any remaining funds will be paid back to the seller
• If the 90 Day radon test results are below the action level, the retention sum will be returned to the seller

Buying a New Build Property

Since 1999 Building Regulations have been introduced in all properties constructed in Radon Affected Areas, by installing protective measures during the construction of the properties. The Building Regulations were introduced to protect the buyers from the effects of Radon Gas exposure and reduce indoor concentration levels. Whilst these measures may give buyers peace of mind that the property will be radon free, the effectiveness is reliant on a high standard of workmanship and are not an absolute guarantee the property does not have high levels of radon gas.

Due to these factors, PHE recommends a 90 Day Radon Test undertaken within the first 12 months of occupation to ensure the integrity of the build. Northampton University conducted several surveys on New Build properties, supporting the PHE recommendation.

If a radon test on a New Build should return a high-level reading of Radon Gas within the first 2 years after the purchase, it is the Developers responsibility to make the house suitable for habitation and pay to rectify the radon issue. Also, Indication is the NHBC 10-year guarantee would not cover the cost of rectifying the issue if the above recommendations were not adhered to.

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