Selling a coastal property.

[JubileeJumps]

My parents live in a house by the coast - West Wittering. I'm worried as the impacts of climate change are becoming more obvious that they should sell and come more inland. Their house is about 200 metres from the sea. What would you say?

are they happy there?
how old are they?
what do they think?
any signs of damage?

@theeyeshaveit82 They are concerned as there was some flooding close to them earlier in the year. Early 70's and very fit. They have a great life there so I think they're very torn.

Is there a lot of coastal erosion at West Wittering? Were they 400 metres from the sea ten years ago? How low lying is the house? any tide defences on the beach?

This is big for me. I’d say sell and do it quickly. Places like that soon won’t get mortgages when there’s climate reports on properties available at selling (as there are in other countries). If they are planning to downsize anyway, I’d say it’s wise. It’s not a given but would give peace of mind to me

@WolfFoxHare Yes there is evidence of erosion although they have put in coastal defences.
@RosieAway I think you're probably right.

I’m with @RosieAway in that case. Sell now before the problems become more obvious and the value drops or worse, it becomes unsaleable like the homes of those poor people in some places on the east coast.

when they purchased it… how far was it from the sea?

@theeyeshaveit82 its hard to tell because they out a lot of stones onto the beach as flood defences. I'm not sure there is that much difference.

Sell sell sell! Get rid asap if you even need to question it that’s a good enough reason. It’s amazing how things change within years. I appreciate your parents still able and capable but the stress later on won’t be worth it. Tell the estate agent you’re packing up and having them live with you in your annex. I don’t know your full situation but my mum was originally in our family home for way longer than she should have been! She couldn’t/didn’t maintain the property and couldn’t afford to do what needed to be done. Quick sale she downsized little cash left over. 2 MONTHS later new housing estate had started to be built around the corner with help to buy schemes. She never would have sold in the condition it was in if a buyer could have got a new build round the corner! Trust your instinct!

if they’re happy and settled… personally i would not be encouraging a move.

yes, it may impact the value of your inheritance but realistically means that stay in their home, presumably in a home they love and have been in for many many years? and let’s be honest… i very much doubt 15 years is going to see any big change that would be remotely serious enough to force them out of their home

I met a marine coastal engineer at a party recently and raised this topic. His take on it was that there are excellent models of expected changes to sea levels, and the protective action that is already being taken is going to be enough for nearly all of Britain. Eg groynes, resculpting beach profiles, etc.

there might be a few areas of East Anglia where a planned evacuation would be necessary.

He said that anyone in a river plain has a lot more to worry about.

@theeyeshaveit82 This is a good point. Inheritance is the last thing on my mind - I want them to spend every penny they have on having a great life.
@fernsandlilies Thats really interesting.
@EMUKE Also a very good point.

I'm going to just support them in what they want to do.

I think it depends on what they really feel about moving. If they are worried then sell up, if they are happy enough, leave it be.

They probably have their routines and network/neighbours all within reach right now and may not have the confidence to start all over again. I'm nearly their age TBH and I would hate to have to start networking again and making new friends at this stage of my life!

I did move however, but stayed in the same area just a different house and nearer to the tram stop/bus line/station/shops, that kind of thing to future proof things a bit lol.

So maybe they might consider moving back from the sea a bit (200 metres sounds very close to me!), but still be able to maintain their current set up of friends and other supports/quality of life.

@Quizine There is a lot to think about.

West Wittering is pretty flat and doesn't suffer much in way of coastal erosion so if they haven't had a problem to date I doubt they will at any point in the near future. The biggest threat is likely to a storm surge on top of a big spring tide.

The only likely effect of climate change would more severe storms and in the longer term rise in sea levels - but would be decades away. Definitely not something to fret over.

@Daftasabroom thank you. You always sail in and make me feel better.
I appreciate your advice.

You could look at the flood risk maps at

https://coastal.climatecentral.org/

I don’t know what it’s like at West Wittering, but I have looked at this and decided against moving to a couple of places for fear of resale problems.

If it were Bosham, then the sooner the better...

Are they on the Strand road? If so, rather than long-term erosion, it is storm surges that might cause issues. Like what happened on Hayling Island a number of years back.

Won't they be dead before this is a problem?

Apparently my flat is going to be underwater in 50 years (London) and my daughter said I'd be dead before it's a problem