RADON Gas!!! Please advise Should I back out of the deal now?

[Sophiedee]

Hi Everyone,
I need some reassurance, We are buying a house in Corby, Northant and the searches came back for Radon Gas at 5-10%! The vendor had never tested the property and I have contacted the Airtech Environmental Systems for some advice and I was told that my solicitor could hold a retention fee of £2000 to carry out test etc. We have young children who has asthma and respiratory problems and this 5 - 10% is alarmingly high! What do I do? I want to cancel the the deal because I rather pay a few hundred quids to the solicitors now than end up stuck with a house full of radon gas when trying to sell later on in the future. Help please!!!!

Don’t panic! Many areas of the Midlands and the South West have radon gas and therefore every house will have a risk factor. Though this may put some people off buying a property, at the end of the day, if you need or want to live in these areas, then it will most likely be a factor you have to accept.

What I suggest is that you test the house when you move in and if levels are of concern, at that point you can have it dealt with. The radon bond suggested by your solicitor is a good idea if your vendor will accept it. We have just bought in a known radon area and for that reason our vendor refused to accept the bond. Totally ridiculous in my opinion! I think many people just ignore the potential dangers of radon. Because we really wanted the house and know that all other houses in the area will also have the same percentage risk, we decided to go ahead anyway and will deal when it when we move in i.e. test and then if necessary put in protective measures.

All properties in the area will be the same. It causes no symptoms whatever. No way your vendor will agree to pay for testing!

As I understand it Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It is formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils.

That means that it is unlikely to be house specific and relates to the area you are buying in, not your actual house.

I have never yet bought a house without Radon Gas being flagged up as a risk and in some areas of the country e.g. The West Country the risk level is much higher.

Unless you think your house has a specific risk, unrelated to the area, or you are planning to pull out and just move somewhere else in the country I am not sure what benefit you will get by cancelling your purchase.

Did the searches reveal that your proposed property had a specific, isolated risk? Did it give information about the underlying risk for the area? Have you had any independent advice from someone who is not trying to sell you an expensive test?

I have often been spooked over the years, by things highlighted in searches and surveys only to research them and find that the the risk is either acceptable or not avoidable. It sounds to me that this scenario is one where a lot more research could help you avoid pulling out and losing your fees to date.

Have you seen this website www.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps

As long as you open windows and don’t sit sealed up inside all the time i would worry.

We have a borderline problem and keep it under control by ventilating. Also builders can fit radon sumps
Radon is heavy and sinks and collects at low levels. Allowing it an outlet stops this happening.
We live in an area where radon is a fact of life. Most people don't worry about it. I have a husband though who likes to do things right and ordered a radon testing kit which had to be left in situ in parts of the house for a month (I think) then sent back fir analysis.
Make sure too that you don't concert around the house with patio areas - this seals in the gas. Leave gaps fir flower beds etc.

Had houses in Devon and Cornwall for years, and we are all OK.

As PP have said, ventilation is the important thing. Even if testing suggests that you need active ventilation (ie using a fan to force air circulation) you’re looking at £2k at most to install.

Thanks Guys, this has truly put my mind at ease x I'll you guys posted.

I mean I would definitely want a radon test if I were buying that house. I think 5-10% means 5-10% of houses will have radon above the action level (200 Bq per m3)

This doesn’t translate exactly into seiverts but radon gas has a rather nasty decay chain through a variety of polonium and lead isotopes, with alpha and beta decays which are especially dangerous when breathed in. Obviously that’s just a danger you’ll have to accept for living in the area, but I’d be wanting to get the house thoroughly checked as some designs accidentally trap it or funnel it into frequently using living spaces rather than venting outside.