Managing Radon in Social Housing
Radon Risk Assessments, Radon Surveys, Radon Mitigation for Landlords
Radon Risk Assessments and Surveys for Social Housing Providers.
Managing Radon in Social Housing: The Landlords’ Responsibilities
Housing Associations & Social Housing providers should know their properties’ Radon risk. All Landlords have a responsibility to their tenants under the Duty of Care and the Housing Act to provide a safe home. Radon is identified as a potential hazard in dwellings in the Housing Act 2004. Housing associations and Social Home providers, and/or property management company must therefore demonstrate that they have considered radon in their risk assessments and taken appropriate action if required.
Radon is a serious issue throughout the UK. Whilst every building contains some level of radon the levels are usually low, so the risk to health is small. In some parts of the country e.g. South West England, Bristol, Kent, areas of Wales, Cumbria, and parts of the Peak District to name a few, buildings and grounds may have higher levels of radon and there may be a need for radon monitoring in specific areas.
Earth Environmental & Geotechnical has experience and expertise in providing full Radon Risk Assessments, Monitoring, and Mitigation for landlords, housing associations, and/or property management companies. We can provide a full service for all Radon Risk Areas.
Radon Risk Assessments, Surveys and Monitoring
All landlords have a duty of care towards their tenants to ensure there are no hazards present in the property they are letting. In line with Housing Health and Rating System (HHSRS), which forms part of the Housing Act 2004, “if the dwelling is in an Affected Area….as radon levels can vary widely between apparently identical dwellings, the only way to determine whether or not there is a threat to health is by measurement.
Radon Risk Assessments for Landlords, Housing Associations, and Property Management
Actions for properties in radon Affected Areas
Landlords, Housing Associations, and/or Property Management companies should carry out three–month radon measurements in the premises for which they are responsible, and have been identified as being in radon Affected Areas. Even with radon potential maps, no one can predict the radon level in an individual building, so the only way to know for sure is to place a number of small radon monitors throughout your properties.
It is the responsibility of all landlords, Housing Associations, and/or Property Management companies to ensure that you know if your properties are in a Radon affected area
At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical we have a comprehensive range of Radon Survey services for Landlords, Housing Associations, and/or Property Management companies. If you would like further advice contact us to discuss your Radon Risk Assessment Needs.
Building New Social Housing in a Radon Risk Area
If you are developing new Social Housing in a radon risk area we can complete surveys before your work starts. By monitoring for radon before your construction starts you can make sure you have the correct designs to mitigate for radon risk. Building your new homes with the correct radon preventative measures is more cost effective that retrofitting.
We have MARKUS 10 instruments that allows for in-situ measurement of radon gas in soils. The Markus 10 can provide a clear understanding of the radon levels in the soil of your property’s site and can quickly allow for an informed decision on whether the site requires radon mitigation measures, this is especially important if you are planning any further development on your properties’ land.
For further information on radon monitoring and detection for housing associations, landlords and property management companies please contact Earth Environmental & Geotechnical now
Managing Radon Risk in Social Housing
Step 1 Check Your Postcodes Now
How To Safeguard Your Tenants Against Radon:
Step 1 – Check – are your properties in a Risk Area. Enter your Housing Association buildings Post Code to find out
Don’t forget to click the SHOW RADON DATA red button on the left-hand side.
Step 2 – Measure – if your Housing Association or tenant’s property is in an At Risk Radon Area you need to take Radon Measurements
Step 3 – Act – If your result is at or above the UK Action Level for a domestic dwelling of 200 Bq m-3
You can find out more information here
If your properties have a basement then raon testing must be carried out regardless of geographic location.
Recently Updated Radon Map for Great Britain.
In December 2023 the radon risk area maps were updated for the first time in 10 years. Your property portfolio may now be in a radon risk area. Please check your postcode now and take action if you are now in a risk area.
As the radon maps show there are areas throughout the UK that have a higher risk of elevated radon including:
- Wales
- South West England
- South England – Kent -Folkstone, Dover
- Scotland
- North England – Peak District, Derbyshire, Cumbria,
- North West
- North East
- Northern Ireland
Indeed all areas of the UK have sections of land/buildings with Radon risk where the Maximum radon potential is greater than 30%.
