Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build up in homes in certain parts of England and Wales. Find out what your landlord must do and how to escalate if they ignore it.
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Direct answer
Radon is a colourless, odourless gas that can seep into homes from the ground. It is the second largest cause of lung cancer in the UK. Where tests show radon above the action level of 300 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³), it becomes a Category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). That means your landlord has a legal duty to act. If your landlord has been told about a radon problem and done nothing, call us free on 0800 030 4669.
What radon is and why it matters
Radon forms naturally when uranium in rocks and soil breaks down. It drifts up through the ground and can collect inside buildings, especially on lower floors and in basements. It cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.
Long-term exposure to high levels of radon significantly increases the risk of lung cancer. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides detailed public guidance on radon at ukhsa.gov.uk. Smoking alongside radon exposure increases the risk further.
Which areas have higher radon levels
Radon is found across England and Wales, but some areas have higher concentrations because of the local geology. These include:
- South-West England, particularly Devon, Cornwall, and parts of Somerset
- Derbyshire and the Peak District
- Northamptonshire and parts of the East Midlands
- Parts of Wales, especially in areas with granite or limestone bedrock
You can check whether your home is in a radon-affected area using the map provided by the UKHSA at ukradon.org.
What the action level means
The UK action level for radon in homes is 200 Bq/m³. UKHSA recommends taking action if your home is at or above this level. Under the HHSRS, radon at or above 300 Bq/m³ is treated as a Category 1 hazard. That is the higher threshold at which your council can compel a landlord to act.
A landlord in a radon-affected area who has received a test result showing levels above the action level, or who has been asked to test and refused, may be in breach of their duties.
Who pays for testing
If you are a tenant, you should not have to pay for radon testing. Testing is your landlord's responsibility, particularly in areas where radon is known to be a concern. Testing devices are typically placed in a bedroom and a living room for around three months. The UKHSA can advise on accredited testing services.
Ask your landlord in writing whether the property has ever been tested. Keep a copy of every reply, or note down if there was no reply at all.
What mitigation looks like
Where radon levels are high, the most common fixes are:
- Positive pressurisation: a fan pushes air into the building, displacing radon
- Underfloor ventilation: improving airflow beneath suspended floors
- Radon sump: a pipe is installed below the floor slab and a small pump draws radon out before it enters the building
These are building works, not minor maintenance. The landlord is responsible for arranging and paying for them. Mitigation can reduce radon levels by 75 to 90 percent in most cases.
What to do if your landlord ignores it
- Put your concern in writing by email or letter. Ask whether the property has been tested and request a copy of any test results.
- Request testing if none has been done, and keep a written record of the request.
- Contact your local council's environmental health team. They can inspect under the HHSRS and, if they find a Category 1 hazard, they are legally required to take action. This is a free service.
- Contact the UKHSA for advice on next steps and accredited testing.
- Keep all records: your written reports, landlord responses, and any test results.
If the landlord has known about high radon levels and failed to act, that may support a housing disrepair claim.
Where we fit in
Support for Tenants helps with housing disrepair claims. If your landlord has been told about a radon problem and ignored it, and that has affected your health or safety at home, you may have a claim. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing. Call us free on 0800 030 4669, send the short form, or message us on WhatsApp. See also where to get other housing help.
Sources
- UK Health Security Agency, radon guidance (GOV.UK)
- UK radon maps (ukradon.org)
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (legislation.gov.uk)
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 29 May 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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