Paper presented to the Ph.D Forum at the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society Conference January 2002 The Effect of Public Perception on Residential Property Values in Close Proximity to Electricity Distribution Equipment: A case study in the UK currently in progress. Sally Sims, B.Sc (Hons) Oxford Centre for Real Estate Management Oxford Brookes University Oxford England. Abstract The continuing scientific debate over the potential health risks from living in close proximity to high voltage power lines (HVOTL’s) has been of interest to both the property industry and the utilities for several years (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 1996; National Grid, 1997). Despite the fact that there is no conclusive proof that electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) produced by power lines causes cancer or other adverse health effects, public perception of these risks appears to have a negative effect on the value and desirability of this type of property. With the growth of risk analysis and stigma damage compensation, property professionals are now beginning to realise the importance that public perception can play in the assessment of property worth. This paper is part of a larger body of work currently in progress to determine the effects of public and professional perceptions on the value of residential property in proximity to electricity distribution equipment. Empirical research is underway, however there is insufficient data to present a meaningful analysis at this time. Therefore this paper presents a literature review of previous studies carried out to determine the effects on property values and public health, and the methodology behind this investigation. Keywords Public perception, stigma, EMF's, HVOTL's, health, value. 1. Introduction There is a need to accurately evaluate the impact of electricity distribution equipment on residential property values and marketability, due to a growing trend within the UK residential property industry of building homes either directly beneath or in close proximity to high voltage overhead power lines (HVOTLs) and pylons. It may be that, due to a demand for new property, value effects are not obvious until