Your property queries answered.
Radon in Co Kerry: I am buying a holiday home in Kerry where I have now heard that there are high levels of radon there. How can I be sure that the house I am buying is safe? I have reread the survey report and there is no mention of radon, so should I take it that everything is okay?
To reassure Kerry readers, not all parts of Kerry have high radon levels. A house in Castleisland showed the highest level of radon in the country in a Radiological Protection Institute (RPII) survey - but that does not mean that every house, even in that area, has high radon levels. It all depends on the house. Two houses side-by-side can show different levels. Testing for radon isn't part of an ordinary house survey, so the fact that it wasn't mentioned in your survey report doesn't mean anything. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which originates from the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless, and can only be measured using special equipment.
According to the RPII, radon decays to form tiny radioactive particles, some of which remain suspended in the air. When inhaled into the lungs these particles give a radiation dose which may damage cells in the lungs and lead to lung cancer. The RPII recommends a three-month test for radon - there are instant tests but the RPII considers that they are not as reliable as a test conducted over one year. You could simply ask the current owners if the house has been tested.
The RPII offers a confidential testing service, so contacting it and enquiring about the house won't work. If the house was built after 1998 then building regulations would have required the builders to incorporate a degree of radon preventative measures. You could also look at the map on the RPII's excellent jargon-free website www.rpii.ie and see what the levels are for the part of Kerry you intend buying in. The maps are quite general in that they cover broad areas but still it might give you some reassurance. If you buy the house and you are still concerned about radon, contact the RPII to arrange for a radon measurement. Call 1800 300 600 or e-mail radon@rpii.ie.
Viewing pains: Is there any way to stop rubberneckers coming to view my house? I thought that by selling by private treaty only truly interested buyers would view. Last week one woman and her friend spent the entire viewing asking me about our extension, the architect, builder etc, because one lived in a similar house and was interested in such an extension. There has also been a couple of no shows. As I have two small children, every viewing - often at short notice and at the most inconvenient time - means a top-to-bottom tidy of the house. I'm growing tired and impatient. The agent seems to want to let anyone in. Is there anything I can do?
It's the agent's job to sell the house and the only way of selling is to let people see it. Selling a house is a stressful time and viewings are part of that. Could you agree with the agent that the house is on view say two times a week at specific times - maybe for an hour on a Saturday afternoon and another hour that might suit an after-work viewer. That way you could plan your own life a bit better. But be flexible and go out of your way, particularly for second time viewers.
Send your queries to Property Questions, The Irish Times, 10-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail propertyquestions@irish-times.ie.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to respond to all questions. The above is a representative sample of queries received. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice. No individual correspondence will be entered into.
