March 22, 2001 9:06: BUYING a new house is exciting stuff, but what about those hidden terrors prospective buyers are not told about?

Hearing your house will probably be flooded by the next heavy rains after signing a contract will dampen your spirits.

And there may be many other problems estate agents do not know or do not tell you.

The Environment Agency believes two million homes in England and Wales are built within river floodplains.

So before setting your heart on the dreamy little cottage beside the lake visit the website www.home-envirosearch.com

Based on a large database of environmental reports and Ordnance Survey maps, the site offers visitors a summary of environmental hazards in the immediate area surrounding any given address in the UK.

Visitors can search by entering their post code to find their area's environmental dangers.

Besides floods the website also offers information on risks like air pollution, underground cavities and radioactivity.

All the hazards and other relevant terms are explained in simple English for those not familiar with the technical terms.

The site also features a database of case studies where visitors can find reports on environmental studies throughout the country.

Prospective buyers can also try the Homebuyer Guide, which offers advice on getting an environmental search.

l Don't forget about the best site for finding your perfect home fish4homes.co.uk