Conveyancing Searches: Understanding the Potential Environmental Problems
When purchasing a new home, you should be diligent in performing conveyancing searches. This process is essential because it reveals problems which are not apparent when viewing the home. As a result, you will protect yourself from houses which have no value or will lose their usability in a few years. One of the critical types of searches is the environmental search. As implied, this assessment is designed to help you discover issues in the surroundings of property which could compromise the home and make it uninhabitable. If you are unfamiliar with this search, here are the common issues that you should look into in the report.
Property Contamination
You should make sure that the property you wish to purchase is not built on a contaminated spot. Living on a polluted site could have adverse health repercussions and will cause the land to lose value once discovered. In general, most contamination problems come from past uses of land. For instance, some residential lots might be situated in an old industrial site. If the former factory worked with dangerous chemicals, the residues could persist for extended periods. For example, lead, mercury and arsenic are incredibly harmful chemicals which can remain in the soil and pose a danger to your family in the future.
Flooding Risks
You should check the details on flooding in your conveyancing report. Floods will destroy structures in their path, and those that survive will experience extensive water damage. Either way, the affected home will decline in value or become inhabitable. Therefore, you should not purchase a home in an area with significant flooding risks. For example, lots in a low-lying flat area or close to a water body will be more susceptible to floods that alternatives with a slight slope. You should also make sure that there is minimal risk of landslides because these can cause significant destruction of homes.
Landfills and Waste Sites
Finally, you should make sure that there are no current or former landfills or waste sites close to the property you plan to purchase. These types of areas are filled with contaminated materials with hazardous elements which are harmful to humans. If you are close to such a site, you will eventually be exposed to the dangers. The particles of fibrous minerals such as asbestos could be stirred up and released into the air. Also, flowing water could drive the pollutants to your land.
Performing thorough conveyancing searches can be a challenging process. Therefore, you should hire a conveyancing solicitor for professional assistance.