How radon gas affects Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent

When Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent, Conveyancing Solicitor Laura Gill found that the property she was transacting was at risk of radon gas exposure.

Radon is a radioactive, colourless, odorless gas that occurs naturally when thorium and uranium decay. The latter two elements reside in the Earth’s crust in various concentrations, and radon emission therefore depends on geographic location.

While radon does not affect the environment, it has been identified as a cause of lung cancer, causing 1 in 20 lung cancer deaths in the UK.

Conveyancers are particularly likely to identify radon near former mining sites, as concentrations are highest in coal mines.

The dangers of radon gas for Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent

While radon concentration in the open air is typically low, the gas can build up in buildings, particularly cellars.

Radon emissions affect Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent because it is the site of the North Staffordshire Coalfield, an area of 100 square miles where coal was mined until 1998.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council points out that only 1% of homes in the city are above the recommended level. But building regulations require that the geology of the location should be considered when deciding whether radon protection measures should be implemented in a home.

The freehold property in Park Avenue, Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST3, turned out to be in an area where 1-3% of homes are at or above the recommended leven.

Simple and cheap precautions can be taken to prevent radon problems when Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent. Floors and walls should be sealed, ventilation improved and air flow from the basement to the upper floors avoided.

Radon’s half-life is only 3.8 days, so that once the source is removed the danger will significantly decrease within a few weeks.

Apart from the danger of exposure, restrictions and covenants dating back to 1957 were also discovered on the property.

These had to be checked with the sellers’ Conveyancing Solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent, Clyde Chappell & Botham Solicitors of 97/99 Weston Road, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST3 6AJ.

It is important that such obligations have been fully complied with because otherwise the buyer might be held liable for breaches.

In this case, there was no problem as the sellers had bought the house themselves in April 1957 and had therefore personally agreed to the restrictions and covenants.

Thanks to Laura’s proactive approach all problems could be resolved swiftly and this Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent reached completion in February 2010.

For cheap Conveyancing in Stoke-on-Trent call us today on 0330 660 0286, or get a Quote for us online.