2 issues flagged out in environment report, please advise

wanderingcat

Hello guys, hope here some people could help or give us some advices.

We are in processing of buying a semi-detached house built in 1930' . Yesterday the environment report came back which put us in stress immediately. There are 2 issues.

1, Surface water flood risk within 25m is identified as Significant . The report also shows no any flooding records from the database. I contacted the solicitor immediately to request an enquiry to the vendor about whether or not they have any flooding history in the past. Today the solicitor came back to say because the seller is the executor of the deceased owner and has never resided at the property, he is unable to provide an answer. Now I have to request the solicitor to raise another question about whether the property has any insurance currently. But I am not sure I will have the answer. We will go to the site this weekend, hopefully could talk to some people in the neighbourhood.

2,The Risk of Natural Ground Subsidence is marked as moderate to high which worries us more. We viewed the property twice, cannot remember seeing obvious cracks. The building survey should take place next monday.

Now we really don't know whether we should carry on the buying. The above 2 issues makes us worry. Anyone can give some advice in this situation? Both of us did not sleep well yesterday night. Thanks

mrsmchapman

Could you go back and look at the house again? also would it be worth going to speak to neighbours and asking about flooding and also whether they have movement in their homes.

wanderingcat

Thanks mrsmchapman, yes that's we gonna do tomorrow. But will the surface water flooding be coved by any insurance? Or any survey we do about it? Solicitor does mention the flooding report but it is more about the river/coastal flood, not the surface water.

mrsmchapman

if im honest i really do not know regarding the insurance, but i do hope someone else will be along to help you

martindow

The flooding risk is also dependant on the topography. It is very different being 25m away up a steep hill to being on the same level. Have you looked at the environment agency flood risk maps?

wanderingcat

martindow wrote: »

The flooding risk is also dependant on the topography. It is very different being 25m away up a steep hill to being on the same level. Have you looked at the environment agency flood risk maps?

Yes, we checked it. There's actually no risk from the river/coastal flooding. It is just the surface water. So the EA's rush map cannot help a lot. I just called the Halifax insurance. They said if within 1 mile of the property there's any flooding history, our insurance application will be rejected:(

kaych

You can check the local Strategy Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) or the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) for the area. They should be on the council's website or you should be able to request one from them. These documents should provide more information on surface water flooding and should have a map showing wherever the area has previously been flooded (at least since record began...)

wanderingcat

kaych wrote: »

You can check the local Strategy Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) or the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) for the area. They should be on the council's website or you should be able to request one from them. These documents should provide more information on surface water flooding and should have a map showing wherever the area has previously been flooded (at least since record began...)

Thanks a lot!!!! I will check the council's website now!

wanderingcat

anyone also has the concern of Risk of Natural Ground Subsidence ?