It is estimated that at least 5.2 million homes and businesses in the UK are at risk from flooding but it is not always easy for a buyer to determine if a particular property is at risk. 

There are a number of ways your solicitor or conveyancer will identify and make sure that you are aware of any risks of flooding before you purchase: 

Pre-Contract Enquiries:

Your solicitor or conveyancer will ask the seller’s solicitor about flood-risks in their pre-contract enquiries in which the seller has a duty to disclose all relevant knowledge and if they do not, they may be liable to pay you compensation. 

Environmental and further Searches:

A number of formal searches will then be carried out over the property including an Environmental Search. This search will produce a report over the property and any risks identified on the report will be investigated further. 

Surveys and Valuations:

If you are taking out a mortgage over the property, your lender will also want to be aware of any flood risks and so a formal valuation over the property will be necessary. This will be carried out by a specialist surveyor who will offer further insight as to the risks of flooding. Even if you are not taking out a mortgage, your solicitor or conveyancer may advise you that a formal survey is needed, especially if a particular risk is identified. 

Building Insurance:

Insurance will need to be obtained from exchange of contracts to sufficiently protect a buyer from any flood risk that is identified over the property. 

It is important that your solicitor or conveyancer identifies the risks before you purchase the property as this will allow you to make an informed decision as to whether you would like to proceed. 

If you would like any further information or advice in relation to buying or selling a property, please contact us on 01384 410 410 or send an email to residentialconveyancing@georgegreen.co.uk. You can also get a free quote by using our conveyancing quote tool on our website.