Contaminated land: running risks

Edited by Liz Booth, fax: 01285-713853

As the commencement date for new contaminated legislation draws near, Professor Paul Syms, visiting professor of land and property at Sheffield Hallam University and a consultant advising on the redevelopment of land affected by contamination, questions the adequacy of repairing and insuring clauses contained in the leases of industrial buildings. He argues it is possible for unwary landlords, and possibly their insurers, to be burdened with environmental problems long after buildings have been vacated by the tenants who caused the contamination