Written by Mark Langshaw Reviewed by Lee Trett
Sources
2 November 2026
Article reviewed by Lee Trett. Added key facts, expert analysis and x2 new FAQs
31 December 2024
Added sections on getting a mortgage and mortgage lenders. Added FAQs, UX components, internal links and article sources.
25 November 2021
First Published
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 or make it harder to get a mortgage?
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, but how do mortgage lenders feel about properties that have them overhead? Read on to find out.
Key facts
- You can usually get a mortgage: many lenders will consider a home near power lines, although they'll look closely at the valuer's report. A few lenders refuse these properties, so a broker can help you avoid a wasted application.
- Some lenders set their own distance limits: a minority won't lend within roughly 100–250 metres of pylons or high-voltage lines. The UK has no legal minimum distance between homes and power lines.
- The main worry for lenders is resale value: power lines can put some buyers off, which can make a home harder to sell and may affect its value.
- There's no proven health risk: some studies have found a weak statistical link with childhood leukaemia, but no cause has been established. Power lines can also make a buzzing noise, especially in damp weather.
- Check before you buy: your survey should show how far the property is from the lines. National Grid offers a service to measure electric and magnetic field (EMF) levels at a home.
Can you get a mortgage on a property with overhead power lines?
Yes, but some lenders might decline your application outright if the property you are buying has power lines overhead. This is because they may be concerned that the presence of power lines might put off future buyers in the event that the property has to be resold.
The good news, however, is that there are plenty of mortgage providers who have no problem whatsoever with overhead power lines, but in most cases, they will place extra scrutiny on the valuer’s report to ensure that the property is re-sellable.
Of the available lenders, some have specific requirements, with a minority stating that the power lines must be a minimum distance from the building, such as 100-250 metres.
Given that some lenders might reject a mortgage application if power lines are present, it’s a good idea to speak to a broker before you apply. They can help you save time and money by finding a mortgage provider who lends under these circumstances, first time.
Which lenders are available?
Mortgage lenders to avoid if power lines are nearby include Virgin Money, Accord and Precise Mortgages. These providers will not lend under these circumstances, but there are plenty who will consider it, especially with a satisfactory valuation report on your side.
Below you will find examples of mortgage providers who will lend on properties with overhead power lines, along with some of their specific criteria:
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Halifax: Will lend with no specific caveats, subject to valuer’s comments.
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Pepper Money: Will not lend on properties that are within 100 metres of above ground high voltage electrical supply apparatus, excluding small substations.
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Aldermore: Will lend on properties within 250 metres of pylons/power lines/power plants/turbines subject to a satisfactory survey.
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HSBC: Will lend with no specific caveats, subject to valuer’s comments.
The above are just a few of the lenders available for mortgages on properties near power lines. Speak to one of our brokers below for a full list of them:
Find a better mortgage deal on Money Helpdesk
Is it dangerous to live in a house near power lines?
Multiple studies have indicated that there is no strong link between 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 existing research on this has found only a weak statistical association and no evidence for causation.
The power companies are quick to point out that the electromagnetic field around power lines is 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 property values.
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 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?
There are no regulations in the UK that specify how close to powerlines a home can be built. The only rules are around the height to the ground that the power lines can be, which is 7.6 metres and 8.1 metres to a normal road surface.
Your mortgage provider will also need to confirm the distance meets their lending criteira 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.
Expert analysis
"Mainstream banks rely entirely on the comments made by the physical surveyor. If high voltage cables run directly over the roof or a large pylon dominates the garden, the valuer will often state the property suffers from visual blight. In these cases, high street lenders will frequently down-value the home or decline the mortgage altogether, simply because they fear the property will be too difficult to sell on the open market if it is ever repossessed.
"On the other hand, if the lines are merely visible in the distance and do not physically overhang the property boundary, securing a standard mortgage is rarely an issue. My advice is to have a frank conversation with an independent broker and a local surveyor before paying any non-refundable application fees. They can tell you immediately if the proximity of the pylons will spook a mainstream underwriter, saving you a damaged credit score and weeks of wasted time."
Mortgage Advisor & Director
How to get a mortgage on a property near power lines
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FAQs
Yes. There are roughly the same number of lenders available for buy-to-let mortgages on properties near power lines compared to residential. As with all buy-to-let mortgages, rates and deposit requirements may be higher, and affordability will be based on rental income.
For a complete rundown of the requirements, see our buy-to-let mortgage guide.
Yes. Electrical substations are generally less problematic than overhead power lines as far as mortgageability is concerned, but a minority of lenders may apply the same criteria to them.
Yes. Living near power lines doesn't usually stop you from getting buildings or contents insurance, and most mainstream insurers will cover these properties on standard terms.
This is important because nearly all mortgage lenders will want proof that you can get buildings insurance before they release funds. If you're asked on an application form whether there are any power lines, pylons or substations near the property, answer honestly. Giving the wrong information could invalidate your policy if you ever need to make a claim.
If one insurer declines you or quotes a higher premium, it's worth shopping around or speaking to an insurance broker, as each insurer assesses risk differently.
If power lines cross over the property itself, or a pole or pylon sits on the land, the network operator will usually have a legal right to keep its equipment there. This tends to be one of two types:
- Wayleave: a personal agreement between the network operator and the current owner, which usually comes with a small annual payment. It doesn't automatically transfer when the property is sold, so the operator may ask you to sign a new one once you move in.
- Easement: a permanent right that's registered against the property's title and passes to each new owner. The previous owner will normally have received a one-off payment for it, so you won't usually be paid anything going forward.
Your solicitor should pick up any wayleave or easement during conveyancing and explain what it means for you, including whether the operator can access your land for maintenance.
You may be able to end a wayleave by giving notice, but don't assume this means the lines will be removed. The operator can apply to the government for a "necessary wayleave" to keep its equipment in place, so getting lines moved is rare and can take a long time.
A wayleave or easement won't normally stop you from getting a mortgage, but lenders will expect your solicitor to confirm there's nothing in the agreement that affects the property's value or your use of it.