Buying property in a flood risk area?
Discussion
I've found a house that I'd like to live in, in the perfect area. It's around 50m from a brook and is considered a flood risk. I would walk away but it's a house for me, that I can imagine living in for a long time. I like it enough to at least give it some consideration. I was hoping someone could offer advice from their own experience. Questions to put to the agents, tenants, neighbours etc. Info regarding Insurance, selling on and where to find factual information beyond what's offered on the environment agencies flood map.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Go and see the neighbours especially older residents. You need to find out if there have been any flooding in the past. Take a good look and walk along the waterway, where does common sense say it would bottleneck? How high would it have to rise to flood?
I back on to a river, one of 22 houses in my town to be at high risk. It hasn't flooded for 50 years and there are controls upstream and low lying land downstream. The water level would have to rise significantly to cause me a problem. The deck over the river would go first.
It always gets picked up at insurance renewal time but has never seen me refused insurance although I am sure I pay more for the privilege. I also get to sit out over the river in the summer. As well as watch the fish/ducks/bats etc.....
Its all about risk and how much/little you can accept.
I back on to a river, one of 22 houses in my town to be at high risk. It hasn't flooded for 50 years and there are controls upstream and low lying land downstream. The water level would have to rise significantly to cause me a problem. The deck over the river would go first.
It always gets picked up at insurance renewal time but has never seen me refused insurance although I am sure I pay more for the privilege. I also get to sit out over the river in the summer. As well as watch the fish/ducks/bats etc.....
Its all about risk and how much/little you can accept.
Personally, I would give it a wide berth..flood plains are now noted on surveys...insurance can be a big problem, and can you imagine 12 inches of raw sewage floating around on top of your best carpets, plus water inside all your plug sockets......
I know a friend near me that had to move out for nearly six months wilst her house dried out...
It seems this problem will only get worse in the future......
Has the house every flooded before???
I know a friend near me that had to move out for nearly six months wilst her house dried out...
It seems this problem will only get worse in the future......
Has the house every flooded before???
I used to live in a watermill right on the river. It last flooded in 1982. Never had any probs with insurance. Normal premium rates too. When we sold it in 2007 the new owner was worried about flooding and insurance - he got a premium without any bother. If you want to live by a river you have to take the risk.
carmonk said:
Piginapoke said:
Yes, it's a buyer's market right now so why take a punt on a dodgy area?
Interesting choice of words.
Look on local fences, walls etc for high-tide marks. You'd be amazed how high a river can go if it has any kind of bottleneck downstream. Don't touch it, if it's on the environment agency site, unless it's on stilts!
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