HELP Buying a house environmental search HIGH

[Kelliemm1992]

Hi,

FTB here. We are int he process of buying our first home and the environmental search came back with High River Flooding and Moderate Groundwater. There is a school directly across from the property who I rang and the lady working there said they have never had any problems in the 15 years of her working there but was aware of the flood risk. Our sellers also declared they never had a flood or problems with insurance in the 10 years they were there. The river is the ravenbourne river in Bromley which is 400m from the property. The property is located on AYlesbury Road. Insurance doesn’t seem to be too high when I put it in on compare the market. Historically flooding was listed as 1968 on the report.

What is the risk of us buying the property or more importantly selling it in a few years?

Thanks

I moved back to my childhood home town after many years. My searches picked up all sorts of thing like this. I knew that none of the things have every come up in living memory of all the people I knew who had live there - 50 years +. They picked up things like mining. Mining was minimal in my area and hadn't take place for 150 years and they didn't use shafts. Solicitors/surveyors are trying to cover themselves from future action against them.

Use your own judgement. If you have concerns get further investigations. But also bear in mind that with climate change any area which hasn't had problems may have them in the future.

Hello @Kelliemm1992

I work for the Environment Agency in flood risk management. The incidence of flooding is generally increasing, and actually 15 years is a very small period of time for flooding not to have occurred. The likelyhood of flooding also depends on the height, condition and maintenance of flood defences.

If I were you I'd contact the environment Agency and ask for any local knowledge, but that knowledge is largely represented by the flood risk maps available on line.

With increasing rainfall, and reducing public funds for river maintenance, I'd think hard before progressing with this house.

You can contact the EA on enquiries@environment-agency,gov.uk. Include the postcode of the address you are interested in, and they'll direct you to the correct team.

We fell in love with a house and we were planning to go for it until we saw it was at high risk for flooding from a river, and surface water too. I know that the house hasn't flooded in at least 60 years- possibly much longer- but with climate change happening now, I could see how it could happen. I'm a bit gutted by it- I love that house and it's perfect for us in so many ways- but I think that the anxiety I'd feel in heavy rain and storms would soon take the shine off the house. It isn't worth it for me.

Ours came back with something similar. We are close to a river, but up a big hill. The house won't flood, but could be affected by flooding iyswim - for example services in the area could be knocked out by flooding, the sewer system could be overwhelmed. The actual risk is small.

It’s a good idea to speak to your home insurer and mortgage company. Quite a few companies won’t insure or mortgage on a high risk. I wouldn’t buy a house that cannot be insured for flood, it may massively impact future sales and value.

The decision on whether to pull or not is adding years to my life 😖I’m more concerned about selling it as it won’t be our forever home

Nationwide won’t lend on high risk
article here

I sold a flat many years ago and was asked about flooding as there was a river nearby. I honestly said there had never been any.
I sold it in July and the next December it ended up under water (ground floor). I felt bad but also very pleased I had sold it as it was virtually worthless so while past experiences are useful they are no guarantee

I would proceed with caution as it is likely to affect your ability to procure home insurance as time goes on. Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency irrespective of whether or not you think it’s due to climate change.

Also, if it’s making you reconsider your purchase, it will definitely make it harder for you to sell down the road as the next purchaser will have the same information.