Flood Risk

Flooding is an increasing risk for properties in the UK and needs to be considered when purchasing a property. As well as physical damage caused by floods, if a property is at risk of flooding it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, obtain suitable insurance cover or sell a property. Also the valuation of a property is likely to be affected.
The Environment Agency estimates that one in six homes in England are at risk from flooding.  It may not be obvious that a property is at risk of flooding. Your property does not need to be close to a river or sea or on low lying ground to be exposed to flood risk as surface water, groundwater and overflowing sewers are increasingly common causes of flooding.
The most common types of flooding are:
• Surface water flooding  - this occurs when heavy rainfall overwhelms the drainage capacity of an area.
• Sewer flooding – this occurs when sewers are overwhelmed by heavy rainfall or when they become blocked.
• Groundwater flooding – this occurs when underground water levels rise above surface level.
• River flooding – this occurs when a watercourse cannot cope with the water draining into it from the surrounding land.
• Coastal flooding – results from a combination of high tides, low lying land and sometimes stormy conditions.
• Flooding as a result of localised private drainage failure – for example failure in the operation of soakaways. This is the main reason for flood claims in the UK.
The main ways or learning more about the risk of flooding to a property that you are looking to purchase are:
• Conducting a Flood Search. The result of this will provide information regarding the possible flood risks and will advise if you may encounter difficulties obtaining standard insurance having regard to the findings.
• Obtaining reports from government bodies and or/commercial providers (for example by postcode search of the Environment Agency website. This information is indicative only and is constantly been updated).
• Making enquiries with the seller.
• Instructing a valuer or surveyor to carry out a physical inspection, survey or valuation generally and to provide advice on the impact of flood risk.
When purchasing a property it is advised that you  make enquiries at an early stage  to ensure that you can obtain full and unrestricted buildings and contents insurance on the property from a reputable insurer and at a reasonable premium.