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Mortgage Advisor & Director
Buying a house near power lines
When we think of overhead power lines, we often visualise them as a hazard and danger to the environment and pedestrians. However, if your perfect house is located near power lines, should this be enough to put you off making an offer?
There is a general distrust of living near power lines, and although there have been several studies into health risks there have been no conclusions made.
According to current research, there is no direct evidence that you will become unwell or suffer from increased health concerns when living near high voltage power lines.
Is it dangerous to live in a house near power lines?
Multiple studies have indicated that there is no strong link between significant health issues and living nearby power lines, however, this has not stopped people from making their own assumptions.
One of the concerns about living near electric power lines is the possible links to childhood leukaemia, but the existing research does not indicate a clearly defined correlation or increased risk.
The power companies are quick to point out that the electromagnetic field around power lines is actually very low, and nowhere near high enough to cause serious harm. Although there have been claims of people becoming ill who live near power lines, there is no strong evidence that this could be linked to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
Do nearby high voltage power lines reduce property prices?
Electricity power lines can be off-putting to potential buyers, which can reduce the price of the property.
As there is no proven apparent risk to human health of living near high voltage power lines, buyer concerns are more around their own opinions and potential resale value of the house.
For this reason, there is a reduced demand for properties located near high voltage power lines, which has been found to reduce property values by between 2-9% compared to similar properties.
It is important to remember that if you do not like the idea of living near power lines, it does not mean that other buyers will think the same way. The location of your house is more likely to affect the price than whether or not it is near power lines.
Can I find out the power line EMF levels?
Yes, prospective homebuyers can contact the relevant power authority to ask for the EMF levels and a map of power lines in the vicinity of your potential home. You can then make your own decision as to whether or not this will affect you and the family.
Before making an offer on a property near power lines, it is important to remember that there is no proof of increased health risks with low-frequency EMFs. Although the possibility cannot be ruled out completely, until concrete evidence comes forward we should not be too concerned.
If you are less worried about living near power lines because of the possible reduced resale value, remember this should not be your main motivation for buying property. You should buy a house based on how it feels to live there, not whether or not it is near power lines.
It should also be noted that electromagnetic fields are generated by electrical wiring in our homes, from mobile phones, wifi, radio and other household appliances.
What is a safe distance to buy a house near high voltage lines?
Current legislation dictates living a minimum of 50m away from power lines. Any closer and this is considered to be a safety risk. Your surveyor's report will indicate the property location in relation to the distance away from power lines.
Your mortgage provider will also need to confirm the distance meets current regulations as this may have an impact on their ability to resell the property in the event of repossession, and may affect how much they are willing to lend.
National Grid offers a service for performing an EMF survey to determine the levels of electromagnetic fields surrounding the property.
Do power lines generate a buzzing noise?
The noise you hear from overhead power lines is caused by corona discharge. It's the sound of electricity passing through the air. The sound level varies depending on the number of power variations and it also depends on the wind, temperature and humidity levels.
The frequency of this noise is not enough to cause any damage or harm to humans.
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