Flood risk with the new flat identied

oli_ro

Hi,

Buying a flat and the environment search has identified that the flat is within 25m of surface flooding area and >25m of river flooding.
Using the Environmental Agency flood map reveals that the building itself is not in Flood zone, just close to one.

Solicitors are requesting a Flood Risk Search now.

The question is about building insurance: can you get a standard building insurance for such a flat ? Randomly looking at the Barclays's home insurance exclusions mentions: "Has not special exposure to flood or storm damage".

How is "special exposure" defined in such cases ?

BTW, I am in London, I assume this is common enough.

Thanks.

amnblog

What floor is this 'flood risk' on?

kingstreet

Are you responsible for the buildings insurance?

That would be unusual for a flat, where the freeholder usually insures the whole building under a block policy.

oli_ro

Thanks both for the replies.

- I don't know if I am responsible for the building insurance, will check.
- The flat is on the first floor.

I think I have a bit of a learning curve, will do some more digging while the Flood Risk Search is being done.

I am not concerned to be honest, just trying to make sure this will not be a problem for the transaction, insurance or reselling.

amnblog

KS is right about it being unlikely to be your responsibility to arrange the insurance.


It is surprising how many properties are considered a 'flood risk' when the risk appears to be very small.


Our own office is technically in a flood risk area as our threshold is about 50 yards from the banks of the Thames. We have never had a problem with this on insurance.