Should I buy this house?

Tabieth

FreeBear said:

The floods of 1968 was an exceptional event that only occurs once or twice in a lifetime. If that was the only time the property suffered, I wouldn't be overly concerned about it happening again.

Because of global warming we are seeing more and more exceptional weather events. Flooding and extreme weather will only become more common. 

Bigphil1474

If the house is similarly valued to others nearby with a low flood risk, ask for a reduction due to the flood risk?

uralmaid

The village we live in in Lincolnshire is Zone 3 everywhere as are the neighbouring villages. It doesnt seem to stop anyone getting a mortgage . Insurance can sometimes be slightly higher but we just shop around every year.

Albermarle

Tabieth said:

FreeBear said:

The floods of 1968 was an exceptional event that only occurs once or twice in a lifetime. If that was the only time the property suffered, I wouldn't be overly concerned about it happening again.

Because of global warming we are seeing more and more exceptional weather events. Flooding and extreme weather will only become more common. 

Probably true, but flood defences are also improving and at least nowadays you will normally get some warnings/regular updates, unless it really is an unexpected flash flood.

Section62

Tabieth said:

It would be a deal breaker for me. Flooding is only going to get worse so I’d want a low a flood risk as possible. 

Looking at a specific location that isn't necessarily true.

It depends on the type and cause of the flooding, and what hydrological changes have happened in the catchment since the flooding.

If the original flood event in 1968 had a specific cause, and the engineering work carried out was appropriate, then the flood risk at this location should be very much reduced... maybe to a level much lower than other places with no recorded flood events.

Flood zoning is very much a broad-brush approach.  Unfortunately it means a property which has a very low risk of flooding can be lumped in with nearby properties with a much higher risk, with consequences for insurance costs and property values etc.

ReadySteadyPop

Bigphil1474 said:

If the house is similarly valued to others nearby with a low flood risk, ask for a reduction due to the flood risk?

Good advice.

strawb_shortcake

The flooding in our area has been linked to new builds removing trees and not installing adequate drainage, one local village has had mass building on one side and the Severn on the other so their flooding now comes from two directions. 

Storm drains not being maintained and cleared

Local farmers not keeping their soakaways clear.

The fields near us is likely to have over 500 houses built, whilst the councils have put TPO's on a lot of trees, the penalties aren't enough of deterrent to stop trees accidentally coming down, and installing infrastructure isn't a priority. Climate change aside I think we'll see more flooding 

Lindsey006

The house is at risk from surface water flooding. The town has hills around it, mainly clay soil. 40 years ago improvements were made so that some of the water running down the hills was diverted away from the town and a brook at the end of the garden had it’s channel widened and deepened. A price reduction is not my worry really, just whether I should or shouldn’t buy it. A friend did say to me why would you even consider a house with an increased flood risk that is only going to get worse. That is a fair point but the house itself is what I wanted almost exactly so I still feel it is disappointing to walk away! It didn’t flood in 2013 when some other places nearby did but that does highlight this risk of course.

Thank you for all the replies, I have considered them all!