House flood after exchange of contracts but before completion

crazy_crow

Hope it goes OK.

Please keep us posted.

paddedjohn

sabretoothtigger wrote: »

I dont get why isnt it possible to make a house water proof at least temporarily.
Considering the massive cost of loss, arent people thinking we can get doors that seal water tight or does that not work at all

There was a bloke recently who raised all his electrics to dado level and had his floors and walls tanked and tiled and also had a system whereby he could barricade the entrances in the event of flooding in the area. Also there are many products on the market now that will protect your property from flood water, a quick google throws up an example below.

http://www.ukfloodbarriers.co.uk/homeowners.aspx

Davesnave

Roger_queen wrote: »

Suspect the farmer will tell us to do one if we asked him to clear culvert that the highways put in when building the road!

He might or he might not, but if the responsibility hasn't been clear until now, he can hardly be blamed.

Farmers and smallholders already take responsibility for works which benefit the community, such as hedge-cutting and tree felling. The council can step in and act if they don't, sending an appropriate bill, so I don't think that maintenance of waterways should be any different, if the will to keep them clear exists.

However, you seem to be contradicting yourself by saying that the house flooded despite the culvert being cleared. Surely, in that case, it is inadequate and the responsibility shifts back to highways.

It's all academic now from your point of view, but this demonstrates how buck-passing may frustrate some of those seriously affected by flooding in recent years.

Roger_queen

Davesnave wrote: »

He might or he might not, but if the responsibility hasn't been clear until now, he can hardly be blamed.

Farmers and smallholders already take responsibility for works which benefit the community, such as hedge-cutting and tree felling. The council can step in and act if they don't, sending an appropriate bill, so I don't think that maintenance of waterways should be any different, if the will to keep them clear exists.

However, you seem to be contradicting yourself by saying that the house flooded despite the culvert being cleared. Surely, in that case, it is inadequate and the responsibility shifts back to highways.

It's all academic now from your point of view, but this demonstrates how buck-passing may frustrate some of those seriously affected by flooding in recent years.

Just to make it clear there are 2 culverts, one the other side of the road which the highways cleared and one beneath the field at the back of the property. This then runs into a brook.! Or should do!

Fruball

Thanks for the update Roger queen. What a horrid time for your daughter.

I would be really interested to see how this all pans out so please do let us know.

Thrugelmir

Roger_queen wrote: »

Just to make it clear there are 2 culverts, one the other side of the road which the highways cleared and one beneath the field at the back of the property. This then runs into a brook.! Or should do!

Sometimes the sheer volume of water is simply to great. While we can control many things nature isn't one of them. Impossible to plan for everything on a what if basis. Hence why insurance was created.

Richard_Webster

One question to Richard, I understand that building insurance will only cover the legal owner of the property. So if the damage happened before completion, why will the insurer of the buyer pay for the damage? Is there a special insurance covering the period between exchange and completion? Just curious.

Once you have exchanged contracts you have an insurable interest in the property - you have a legal right to ownership and that is sufficient. So not strictly right that insurance only covers legal owner.

andy.m_2

Roger_queen wrote: »

we are not going to complete. Decision made, good or bad!

Have you told your solicitor this?

thegirlintheattic

OP, have you found out from the contract, whos responsibility it is to put right?

Bear in mind the financial penalties of not completing and consider investigating the cost of flood proofing the house first (or just cleaning out the culvert once or twice a year).

Simple flood proofing:

one wave values on water and waste pipes
having titled floors downstairs
raised entrances
raised electrics
temporary barriers to hold back some flood water

Roger_queen

Thanks guys, decisions....decisions! We realise the major financial implications of not completing but that against the problem of owning a. ' lemon' and instantly being in negative equity needs to be balanced.
Will keep ou posted but at he moment we need to keep Schaum.