New House - Potential Flood risk

Seraphexx

Hi All, about 6 weeks ago we offered and had a bid accepted on a new house.

The house is in a village with a brook next to the main road that backs on to the back of the house approx 1-2 meters away. This had apparently never previously flooded. Last thursday, I went to see the house in the torrential rain and the road outside it and the brook were totally flooded. Water was up against the back wall of the house but only for about 1 inch max.

This has obviously worried us, even thought we have confirmed it has not happened before and no water went inside the house.

The area is a 'medium' flood risk and insurance seems to be pretty much normal price for the area.

Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves going forwards or to find out more potential information on what would happen if a similar flood happened again (mainly the structural integrity of the house/ damp problems)

Thanks!

robber2

I'd withdraw the bid and buy on higher ground.



Sorry but I'm sure this isnt what you want to hear.


Rob

martinthebandit

Depending on the age of the house (the older the better) I would probably be doing this

robber2 wrote: »

I'd withdraw the bid and buy on higher ground.



Sorry but I'm sure this isnt what you want to hear.


Rob

Bluntman_1983

Have you used a comparison site to see what the buildings & contents insurance will cost? Could be prohibitive....

spadoosh

Id agree with the other comments, look somewhere else.

Heres a map of flood risk areas, if its remotely blue where you are, its going to flood.

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk/map

kangoora

Water lapping against the house and road flooded at the front!!!

You'd be insane to buy it.......

Seraphexx

House is 20 years old. Insurance cost is fine.

Ideally we want to go ahead with this property as it's the only one we have found that we really like.

It's a medium flood risk area, albeit on the edge.

I understand it doesn't look great, just looking to see if there are any options for us apart from pulling out.

Seraphexx

kangoora wrote: »

Water lapping against the house and road flooded at the front!!!

You'd be insane to buy it.......

Yeah i'm starting to think the same. It was close to the house, but that area is in between the brook and the house and is meant to drain quick (it was gone within 2 hours completly).

Seems mad they would build a house that close to the stream. I'm guessing the builders must have taken some sort of steps to ensure water can't access from that side. (there are no doors etc)

pinkteapot

Personally, I wouldn't buy the house. Extreme rainfall events are forecast to increase in frequency due to climate change. Flooding is already happening more frequently. Medium flood risk is too high for me. We've just bought a house in a county that suffers a lot of flooding and I checked the flood risk before even viewing properties and discounted those with any flood risk.

My parents house flooded when I was younger and it's just horrendous. It takes around a year of work to put the house right - even if you only get a couple of inches of water inside.

However... It's a personal decision and everyone has a different attitude to risk, so it'll come down to how unique and perfect for you this house it and whether you're willing to accept the risk.

AdrianC

Seraphexx wrote: »

House is 20 years old. Insurance cost is fine.

Ideally we want to go ahead with this property as it's the only one we have found that we really like.

It's a medium flood risk area, albeit on the edge.

I understand it doesn't look great, just looking to see if there are any options for us apart from pulling out.

You've basically got a straight choice. Continue or pull out.

Ignore the EA risk map - that's generalised for the area. You know that this exact property is at real risk of flooding, and only missed it by luck this time.

What'll happen if it does actually flood the house? Simple. The ground floor will be trashed, you'll have to find alternative accommodation and your insurance will pay the tab, then stiff you next time.

davidmcn

Seraphexx wrote: »

just looking to see if there are any options for us apart from pulling out.

What sort of things were you thinking of? Either you accept the risk or you buy something else, surely?