Landlord Alert on Increased Radon Gas Risk in Five UK Areas

Landlord Alert on Increased Radon Gas Risk in Five UK Areas

Updated geological mapping reveals higher radon gas risks in Barry, Brighton & Hove, Coventry, Leeds, and Lincoln, prompting warnings for landlords to consider radon exposure in their properties.

Landlords across the UK are being alerted to the health risks posed by radon gas, an invisible and odourless radioactive gas linked to approximately 1,100 lung cancer deaths annually in the UK. Recent updates to radon risk mapping have identified five specific areas where the likelihood of elevated radon levels in homes is higher than previously understood.

The UK Radon Association (UKRA) has highlighted Barry, Brighton & Hove, Coventry, Leeds, and Lincoln as areas where the estimated probability of properties containing high radon concentrations has increased. This follows the release of refined radon potential maps that provide a clearer picture of radon distribution across Britain, based on modern mapping technology and extensive test results collected up to 2022.

Updated Radon Risk Mapping and Its Implications for Landlords

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that emanates from the ground and can accumulate indoors, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces such as basements and ground floors. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels is a significant health hazard, increasing the risk of lung cancer. The UKRA’s updated mapping assigns risk ratings to all UK areas, estimating the percentage of homes likely to have high radon levels. These ratings range from less than 1% to over 30% probability.

A “Radon Affected Area” is defined as any location where the chance of a home having high radon levels is 1% or greater. The five areas recently highlighted have seen their risk ratings increase based on the latest geological data and testing results. Dr Maria Dugdale, chair of UKRA, emphasises that radon levels have not increased suddenly; rather, the improved data provides a more accurate assessment of existing risks.

Despite this, public awareness has not kept pace with the updated information. Many landlords and tenants continue to rely on outdated assumptions about radon risk, potentially leaving some properties untested and unmitigated. This lack of awareness can lead to missed opportunities to reduce radon exposure through testing and remediation measures.

Context for Landlords: Radon Risks and Regulatory Considerations

Radon risk is a longstanding issue in the UK, historically associated with certain regions such as the South West of England. However, the recent mapping revisions demonstrate that radon risk is more widespread and variable than previously understood. For landlords, this presents an additional health and safety consideration beyond the usual regulatory requirements for gas safety checks and carbon monoxide alarms.

Currently, there is no statutory obligation specifically requiring landlords to test for radon or mitigate radon levels in rental properties. Nonetheless, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and UKRA recommend testing in radon-affected areas, particularly where the risk is significant. Landlords have a duty of care to ensure their properties are safe and free from hazards that could harm tenants, which arguably includes radon exposure where risk is known or suspected.

Radon testing involves placing a radon detector in the property for a period, typically three months, to measure average radon levels. If levels exceed the UK’s recommended action level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre, remediation steps such as improving ventilation or installing radon sumps may be necessary to reduce concentrations.

Practical Implications for Landlords and Letting Agents

Landlords with properties in the newly identified higher-risk areas should consider commissioning radon tests to assess the safety of their homes. Letting agents advising landlords or managing properties in Barry, Brighton & Hove, Coventry, Leeds, and Lincoln may need to update their risk assessments and tenant safety information accordingly.

Testing and mitigation can involve costs and logistical considerations, but failing to address radon risks could expose landlords to potential liability if tenants develop health issues linked to radon exposure. Given the invisible nature of radon and its health implications, landlords should incorporate radon risk awareness into their broader health and safety management.

For small portfolio landlords, the challenge lies in identifying which properties require testing based on location and geological factors. Accessing the latest radon risk maps and guidance from UKRA or the HSE will be essential. Landlords should also consider informing tenants about radon risks and any safety measures undertaken, as part of transparent property management.

Uncertainties and Areas to Monitor

While the updated mapping improves understanding of radon risk, some uncertainties remain. The exact radon concentration in any individual property can vary due to building construction, ventilation, and ground conditions. There is also no current legal mandate for radon testing or remediation in rental properties, although this could change if health and safety regulations evolve.

Landlords should watch for any forthcoming government or regulatory guidance that might introduce formal requirements for radon risk management in the private rented sector. Additionally, insurance policies and mortgage lenders may increasingly consider radon risk in their assessments, which could affect landlords’ financial and compliance obligations.

Steps Landlords Should Take Now

• Review the updated radon risk maps to identify if any properties fall within the highlighted higher-risk areas.
• Consider commissioning radon testing for properties in these locations to establish baseline radon levels.
• Stay informed about any changes in health and safety regulations relating to radon and other environmental hazards.
• Communicate openly with tenants about radon risks and any measures taken to ensure their safety.
• Document all testing and mitigation actions as part of the property’s compliance records.

Supporting Landlords with Radon Risk Management

The Landlord Association (TLA) offers membership resources that can assist landlords and letting agents in managing radon risks effectively. Through TLA membership, landlords gain access to practical compliance information and guidance on health and safety obligations, including environmental hazards such as radon.

TLA is developing ORBIT, a new property management and compliance platform currently in BETA testing, designed to help landlords organise property records, manage safety documentation, and keep track of key compliance activities. Features under development include tools to record health and safety inspections, maintain evidence of risk assessments, and store tenant communications related to property hazards.

By using TLA’s compliance resources and ORBIT’s emerging capabilities, landlords can better prepare for potential regulatory changes concerning radon and ensure they maintain thorough records to demonstrate due diligence. Membership also provides timely updates on legislative developments and best practice advice tailored to the private rented sector.

Exploring TLA membership and ORBIT BETA access can support landlords in meeting their evolving responsibilities and safeguarding tenant health in line with the latest radon risk data.

Landlords should continue monitoring official guidance and consider radon risk as part of their overall property safety strategy, especially in the newly identified higher-risk areas.

Sources: Landlord Today