What is Homecheck?
Homecheck is the web site for homebuyers and owners alike which enables anyone to check a neighbourhood by simply entering a postcode. In addition, property specific reports can be purchased.
The site gives you access to reports which offer insight into an area surrounding a property and the potential environmental risks.
In just one click you can obtain an instant report on whether your prospective neighbourhood is at risk of flooding, landslip, radon gas, is likely to be built on landfill, suffer from subsidence or be close to an area of industrial pollution. Also you can find out about school performance, crime rates and local amenities, as well as a summary of large and small planning applications in the area.
NOTE: Homecheck is designed to allow homebuyers to get a general view of environmental risks and planning information in their area. It is not a replacement for a professional environmental and planning report and may contain significant differences that could affect your house purchase.
I have entered the correct postcode for my house but why is it not inside the circle on the map?
This is because a postcode represents, on average, 15 properties and its location is normally at the first "delivery point" amongst those properties. To make matters worse, the location specified is usually rounded down to the nearest 100m so even the first delivery point may not be in the centre of the map.
Why do I need a Neighbourhood Environmental Search or planning report?
Homebuyers and homeowners ought to pay attention to where they live for the sake of their health as well as their wealth. Estimates suggest there are 400,000 old industrial sites and 275,000 abandoned rubbish tips. Your home could also be located close to one of the 46,000 sites currently releasing pollutants into the local environment.
Think of the distress of buying a house only to find out that a 30 metre mobile phone mast is about to be erected, or a night club has just received planning permission next door? Plansearch Plus will spot this before its too late!
In 2001, the Law Society issued a warning card to lawyers stating that solicitors should now advise homebuyers of the potential risks of buying a property on contaminated land.
Insist that your solicitor provides you with a comprehensive environmental and planning report as part of the searches they will be doing on your property purchase, alternatevly you can purchase these through this site. Homecheck Environmental reports cost just £41.95, with Plansearch Plus just £32.90.
I am buying a home what should I do?
Purchasing a home is a major financial undertaking. As with all major financial transactions or undertakings you should to take appropriate professional advice before entering into any commitment or agreement. Homecheck.co.uk is provided as an information tool on environmental risk, planning and neighbourhood information. It should not be used for the purpose of making a decision as to the suitability of or assessing the valuation of a particular property.
The Homecheck Professional environmental risk report provides a detailed and site specific report and is available for just £41.95. Plansearch Plus is just £32.90, Areaview is £11.75 and Homecheck Flood is £18.98