Nomadic Nick Hits the Road This Summer to Uncover Environmental Risk

This summer, our Customer Service Manager, Nick, is hitting the road to uncover hidden environmental risks. He’ll be taking a (virtual) road trip around the Anglian Water and Southern Water regions, from the dramatic coast of the North Norfolk coast to the rolling hills of the South Downs. His mission? To shine a spotlight on the hidden environmental risks that could impact conveyancing transactions and pose a potential risk to both buyers and conveyancers.

Along the way, as Nick journeys through these diverse landscapes, he’ll be sharing his top tips to help conveyancers ensure they are completing their due diligence. His goal is to ensure that environmental risks don’t remain hidden, and that your clients are fully informed before making one of life’s biggest investments.

While all conveyancing searches play a vital role in identifying potential issues before legal ownership is transferred, environmental searches are especially critical in today’s evolving environmental landscape. They reveal risks such as contaminated land, flooding, radon exposure, subsidence, and nearby energy or infrastructure projects. Including an environmental search in your conveyancing pack not only demonstrates thorough due diligence but also empowers your clients to make informed decisions about the safety and suitability of the property and its surrounding land. In this article, we’ll explore how these environmental risks can impact your clients’ health, finances, and even the insurability of their future home or commercial purchase.

Environmental searches dig into the past use of the land a property is built. This can highlight certain factors which could potentially become a serious health risk. The last thing your clients want from their new purchase is for it to cause a negative impact on their health. If the property is built on contaminated land, such as former industrial land, there could be toxic substances and chemicals lurking beneath the surface.

For residential buyers, the cost of building and home insurance is just one of the many costs, along with mortgage payments, that prospective homeowners have to factor into their ongoing monthly outgoings. Issues such as subsidence or historic flooding in a property can make securing insurance a challenge, or at the very least, mean the homeowner will have to pay a premium. Uncovering this in an environmental search early will help your client avoid a nasty bill post-completion.

Buying a property is one of the most significant financial investments people make, often requiring years of savings.  With so much at stake, it’s essential to be aware of any factors that could impact this investment. Environmental risks can result in costly repairs or issues that could make the property difficult to sell in the future. Understanding these risks upfront is crucial.

So, as Nick sets off on his journey across the Anglian Water and Southern Water regions this summer, he’s aiming to help mitigate against such risks that can have lasting consequences for buyers and conveyancers alike. Through his insights and practical tips, he’s hoping to help ensure these risks are brought to light before they become costly surprises. Environmental searches are a vital part of protecting your clients’ health, financial stability, and peace of mind. By understanding the potential hazards beneath the surface, conveyancers can offer a more complete picture of the property and its future.

Make sure you're following us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with his adventure.

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