Almost half of first-time buyers have pulled out of purchases as a result of factors such as flood risk, subsidence and land contamination, a survey has found.

The poll of more than 1,000 buyers by Atomik Research revealed that 48% had backed away from transactions because of environmental issues.

Among this group, some had worries about multiple factors affecting the property.

Flood risk was the most common concern cited by 56%; followed by contaminated land for 52%; subsidence for 48%; natural hazards for 43%; nearby mining activity for 41%; pollution levels also for 41%; noise pollution for 39%; water quality also for 39%; nearby industrial activity for 37%; radon gas also for 37% and parking for 32%.

First Mortgage compliance director David McGrail says: “If a buyer thinks their potential property could be at risk of environmental factors such as flooding, erosion or being more at risk to extreme weather, they should look to get a specialist surveyor in to make sure the property is properly built for this and if they need any specialist insurance.

“Climate change is something we cannot deny, and it is indeed having an impact on the health of our homes and the potential housing market.

“As we have seen recently in London, flooding is becoming more of an issue, not just in rural areas close to rivers, but also in cities and towns.

“Climate change will have an impact on future mortgage applications and when you consider that subsidence can knock 20% off a home’s value, or around £50,000 on the average home price, it can have an impact, and even make you more at risk of negative equity.”