Radon Gas Area Property Mortgages Over 55s
At Rockhopper Later Life Finance we help customers aged 55 and over arrange mortgages on properties in areas with elevated radon gas levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that accumulates in buildings in certain geological areas. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) maps radon-affected areas, with higher levels concentrated particularly in parts of Devon and Cornwall, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, and some other regions. Most lenders handle radon as a standard matter where testing and any required mitigation have been carried out.
We work with customers whose property is:
- In a Radon Affected Area designated by UKHSA
- At a level above the Action Level (200 Bq/m3) based on recent testing
- Already fitted with radon mitigation such as a sump or radon barrier
- In an area where neighbours have had elevated radon but the property itself has not been tested
- In the process of buying a property where radon has been identified in searches
- Refurbishing or extending a property in a radon area and needing to include mitigation
- Simply curious about whether radon affects the mortgage application
Radon is a genuine health consideration for properties in affected areas, and the mitigation measures are typically straightforward and effective. For most customers the mortgage side is not the main concern; the main concern is knowing what the radon level is and what, if anything, needs to be done about it.
Radon testing is carried out using small passive detectors placed in the property for three months, which gives a reliable average reading. Testing is relatively inexpensive and widely available. Results below the Action Level (200 becquerels per cubic metre, or 200 Bq/m3) are considered acceptable and no action is required. Results between 100 and 200 Bq/m3 are in a range where action is recommended for the long-term health of occupants though not mandatory. Results above 200 Bq/m3 warrant specific mitigation measures.
Mitigation for elevated radon typically involves one of several approaches. A radon sump installs a small fan under the ground floor that draws radon from the soil beneath and vents it outside. Radon membranes are fitted during construction or significant refurbishment to seal the ground floor against ingress. Positive pressurisation uses fans to slightly pressurise the living space so radon is pushed out rather than drawn in. The right approach depends on the property’s construction and the radon level. Professional advice from a specialist radon consultant is worth taking for higher-level cases.
For mortgage purposes, most lenders treat radon as a standard matter, particularly where testing has been done and any required mitigation is in place. A property with a radon sump installed and a post-mitigation test showing levels below the Action Level typically has no mortgage-related radon concerns. Where the property has not been tested and is in a Radon Affected Area, some lenders may require a test as part of the mortgage conditions.
Where the radon level is very high and no mitigation is in place, a small number of lenders may decline until mitigation is installed. This is unusual but can arise in specific cases. The specialist radon market is straightforward to access and the mitigation can typically be carried out in a matter of weeks, so where a lender requires action this rarely becomes a significant blocker.
Health risk from radon is a public health matter rather than a mortgage advice matter. For health information, UKHSA publications are the standard reference.
The Process
Your first conversation is a relaxed discussion about the property, the radon situation if known, and your circumstances. There is no cost or obligation.
We may ask for any radon testing documentation and mitigation installation records. We research the market and come back with a written recommendation.
Every radon case is different. A property with mitigation in place and recent clean post-test readings is a different case from an untested property in a Radon Affected Area, and our recommendations reflect those differences.
Speak to a Property Specialist
Call 0203 621 5696
Lines open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, complete the enquiry form and we will call you back at a time that suits you.