Advice Flat Living AT HOME IN YOUR BLOCK ENVIRONMENT
HOWWELLDOYOU KNOWYOURHOME?
Whether you are buying, selling or staying put, Argyll
Environmental recommends flat owners find out more about the health of their block before it starts to cost money
INMARCH, A TRAGIC DEATHoccurred in Cornwallwhen a landslip destroyed a blockofflats. Thebuilding collapseddue to acombinationoftorrentialrain andan alleged subsidence problemthat had not been
remedied.Accordingtoconsultants Argyll Environmental,UKhomeowners are running theriskofunderlyinghazards damaging their properties andcostingthemmoney because they are not being identified early enough. Many of thehazardswhichcan affectour
homes are invisible to the untrained eye and rangefrom floodingand subsidence risks to landslips, radongas andunderground contamination. As homeowners,it’s important to understand andmanage these risks in order to protect your property and also ensure youare fully informed of anypotential problemsduring theprocessofbuyingand selling a home. ChrisTaylor, TechnicalDirectorfor Argyll
Environmental,believeshomeownersshould give properties an annual health check by obtainingvital property reportsashe explains:“Many homeowners simply don’t realise that apartfrom thebasic land survey andcheck forlandcontamination,there are no otherreports or surveysrequiredunder property lawwhenbuyingorselling ahome. Underlying problemssuch as radongas and subsidence can therefore go undiscovered for years,making property owners extremely vulnerablewhethertheyare stayingput or trying to sell theirhome. “Simplereports,availablefor less than £30, canrevealthe secretsour homesare hiding
andensurebothpropertybuyersand sellers have the right information before committing to
atransaction.That’swhy we areurging property owners to give theirhomes anMOT this year and ensure they understand exactly what the eye doesn’t see.” Supporting clientsthrough property
transactions, Argyll has thefollowing advice forhomeowners:
BUYINGAHOME nAskthe conveyancertosupplyyou with property reportsonlandcontamination, flooding and subsidence so you understand the full picture of the property you are considering buying.
homes areinvisibleto theuntrainedeye...
nDo not rely on public websites for property data as youwillhavenoprotectionifa problemislater found. Obtain reportsthat include professional indemnity insurance so youhavepeace of mind should aproblem arise. nIf an environmental problemisfound by a report, don’t discount the property immediately. Seewhat solutions can be found andwhether theselleriswilling to sharethe costs of rectifying these with you.
Many of thehazards whichcanaffect our
Environment Management Legal
Technology Insurance
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ArgyllEnvironmental isapremierrisk managementconsultancyspecialising inenvironmentalduediligenceand riskassessment forpropertyandland transactions. Theconsultancyoffers advancedfloodandcontaminatedland riskreportsforresidentialpropertieswith pricesstartingfromjust £15.
Furtherinformationcanbefoundat
www.argyllenvironmental.com
SELLINGAHOME nObtain property reportstohelpyou identify environmental and planning issues before you putyourpropertyonthe market. nAddressany issuesthatcan be easily resolved before sellingthe property andthink aboutcompromises that couldbemade with a buyer if any expensive or long term problems are found. nArm yourself with informationthatcould help raisethe valueofyourproperty. Pointout anystrengths of thepropertytobuyersi.e.a solidstructure that shouldmakemodifications and planning approval relatively simple.
STAYINGPUT nDon’t assumethat because you have lived in your homeforyears that nothinghas changed. Theenvironment is constantly evolving and homeowners should be awareofthe rise of naturalperilssuchasflood andsubsidence. nClimate change is impacting our environment with subsidence andground stability problemson the rise. Obtain land reportstoassessthe environment around your homeandunderstandany environmental and planning issuesthatcould affectyourhome nowor in the future. nInsuranceclaimsfor subsidence andground stability arerisingand impactingonhome insurancepremiums.Understandingifyou areatriskandwhat youcan do to mitigate anyproblemsbeforethe need foraninsurance claim could save youmoney.●
Insurance claimsfor subsidence and ground stability are rising
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