Home ownership is a big responsibility and it encompasses more than just your home. When you purchase a property, it is important to be aware of any environmental issues, concerns, or liabilities on your property or in the surrounding area. It is a good idea to research the environmental condition of your property and the surrounding area. Things to look for include:
If you are unsure where to start your investigation you could turn to the Internet, ask your agent for information, or even contact an environmental or government agency. This type of information should be available to the public.
When buying, selling, or simply just owning and living in a home it is a good idea to be aware of any potential health hazards within the house or even in the surrounding area. For example, lead poisoning can be a serious, but often overlooked issue. Cities with older buildings have a higher likelihood of lead being present because it was often used in paint and plumbing pipes. Lead can also be present in the environment from vehicle emissions.
Instances of lead exposure are very difficult to pinpoint which makes it is even harder to control and prevent. For this reason, the government is aware of the issue and has put some guidelines in place to protect those buying homes. For example, government law requires that anyone selling a home with lead-base paint hazards must disclose the information to all interested buyers (if the information is known to the seller). As a general rule, houses or buildings constructed prior to 1978 are likely to contain lead-base paint. If the information is known and disclosed, the contract of sale must include the government form for lead-base paint and the buyer has up to 10 days to check for any hazards associated with the presence of lead. This also gives the buyer the opportunity to stipulate any actions that must be taken before the sale will be complete.
This is a serious matter if over looked because lead poisoning can lead to many adverse health problems in both children and adults. Lead poisoning has been known to cause brain damage and nervous system problems in children. It can also result in both behavioral and learning disabilities, slow growth, or even hearing problems. In adults, the health problems can range from reproductive issues to high blood pressure and even nerve disorders. Other problems can include high blood pressure, digestive issues, muscle and joint pain, and hinder brain functions especially for memory and concentration.
Radon is another naturally occurring health hazard that home owners should be aware of because it can be present in your home or on your property without your knowledge. Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that is produced when small amounts of uranium and radium in soil and rocks decay. This might seem like a simple or harmless occurrence, but in fact it can be extremely dangerous when inside your home. Radon is naturally released in low concentrations, but inside your home, the gas can become more concentrated due to lack of ventilation. The gas can then decay further into smaller particles which can be inhaled into the lungs causing damage to the cells and eventually leading to lung cancer.
If radon is a concern for you as a home owner, you can have your home tested. It is also recommended that those selling their homes test for radon and take the appropriate action to reduce levels if necessary before making the sale. As a home buyer, if this is a concern for you, then ask the seller if he or she has tested for radon and get the test results.
There are various radon testing devices available. It is also recommended that you test your home at the lowest level that is suitable for occupancy. As a home owner you can select to test your home with either of the following:
When buying a property it is a good idea to know what you are getting for your money. It is important to know what you are getting in a house as well as what you are getting in the property on which the house is built. If a property contains an underground heating oil tank, then you should be aware of some potential hazards. These tanks can cause many environmental issues including contamination of soil and ground water if they happen to leak. Leaks can be caused any number of things including rust or even electrical conditions sparked by utility lines.
As a buyer, you should have the tank inspected to ensure it is structurally sound before purchasing the property. If you do not want an underground tank, you can have the tank shut off and contained. A tank can then be installed in the basement. This can be written in the sales contract as a condition of sale. As the seller, have your lawyer make sure that the description and condition of the underground heating oil is accurate and up-to-date. Also, if you agree to the buyers conditions concerning the tank, make sure it is written up correctly.