Mortgages and Flood Risk

[developer]

Some advice please guys.

We're looking at a property, however, a Groundsure environmental search has revealed it has a medium risk from river flooding and a high risk from surface water flooding.

This means it's been given a Black 1 JBA Insurability rating.

River Flooding (Medium)
We know the property well, as it's just down the road from where we live, so we know that the "river" is only 6 feet wide, is 100m away from the property and at a significantly lower level than the house.

Surface Water Flooding - Pluvial (High)
The road the house is on has a slight but low point in, and four houses have been built in the low point, all constructed around the 1930's - we're not talking new built here.

Despite the Black 1 insurance rating, I can easily get 35+ quotes from GoCompare with premiums as low as c£200 to £300, even after stating there is water within 150m - the property value is c£350K.

Also, we know the neighbours in the area and they say the houses have never flooded - this is borne out by the Environment Agency report too.

So, my question:

We will be renovating the house and selling it on - will potential buyers be able to get a mortgage in light of the above, or is the property blighted? We're talking statistical risk assessment info here, not an actual event of flooding, but will the mortgage companies take it as chapter and verse?

I'm interested in replies from mortgage brokers or surveyors, based upon their experience please.

Thanks.

[Ozzie Osmond]

developer said:

medium risk from river flooding and a high risk from surface water flooding.

Seriously, do you really want the hassle?

[developer]

We can walk away - but it's an attractive proposition for a number of reasons, hence I need the advice from "the trade".

Edited by developer on Saturday 15th October 17:20

[Sarnie]

developer said:

Some advice please guys.

We're looking at a property, however, a Groundsure environmental search has revealed it has a medium risk from river flooding and a high risk from surface water flooding.

This means it's been given a Black 1 JBA Insurability rating.

River Flooding (Medium)
We know the property well, as it's just down the road from where we live, so we know that the "river" is only 6 feet wide, is 100m away from the property and at a significantly lower level than the house.

Surface Water Flooding - Pluvial (High)
The road the house is on has a slight but low point in, and four houses have been built in the low point, all constructed around the 1930's - we're not talking new built here.

Despite the Black 1 insurance rating, I can easily get 35+ quotes from GoCompare with premiums as low as c£200 to £300, even after stating there is water within 150m - the property value is c£350K.

Also, we know the neighbours in the area and they say the houses have never flooded - this is borne out by the Environment Agency report too.

So, my question:

We will be renovating the house and selling it on - will potential buyers be able to get a mortgage in light of the above, or is the property blighted? We're talking statistical risk assessment info here, not an actual event of flooding, but will the mortgage companies take it as chapter and verse?

I'm interested in replies from mortgage brokers or surveyors, based upon their experience please.

Thanks.

Phone a local surveyor that surveys for mortgage companies, give them the above information, see what they say.............mortgage companies will just tell that they will "be guided by the valuers comments".

[rustyuk]

I tried to buy a house in a category 1 flood risk area. The garden of the house backs directly onto a main river and is know to flood every few decades or so.

I couldn't even get to the view the house before it went to sealed bids! Estate agent won't even talk to me about it except to say there are 7 people in front of me.

So depending on location demand won't be an issue.