What type of documentation is critical for assessing a property’s environmental history?

Past property records are crucial for assessing a property's environmental history because they provide comprehensive information regarding previous uses, ownership changes, and any recorded incidents that could lead to contamination or environmental concerns. These records often include historical land use, permits for hazardous materials, and any environmental assessments that have been conducted, which can highlight potential risks associated with the property.

Marketing materials, insurance policies, and lease agreements, while informative in their own contexts, do not typically contain detailed historical data about environmental conditions or past property uses. Marketing materials focus on promoting the property’s features and may not address any environmental issues. Insurance policies may include clauses related to environmental liabilities but do not provide the historical use context needed for a thorough environmental assessment. Lease agreements might reference tenant responsibilities regarding environmental conditions but would not encompass past environmental impacts or property-specific history. Thus, past property records specifically serve the need for understanding a property's environmental legacy and potential risks effectively.