Buying a home in a flood risk area raises the question; has it flooded before? Increasingly, buyers and their lenders are asking a second one too. What has been done about it? Stormguard Floodplan works with homeowners across the country, and a growing number come to us not because they’ve been flooded, but because they’re selling.
Flood history follows a property. It shows up in searches, it affects insurance quotes, and it’s something most buyers will ask about directly or find out anyway during conveyancing. A property with documented, professionally installed flood protection tells a very different story to one with no defences. Recognised protection, backed by proper documentation, can make a property considerably easier to sell with confidence.
Mortgage lenders are paying closer attention to flood risk than they used to, and some now ask for evidence of it directly as part of the process. A flood assessment carried out ahead of a sale, along with any certification that follows, can answer that question before it’s even raised, rather than holding up an offer while it gets sorted out.
Insurance is often where flood protection pays for itself most visibly. Properties with recognised defences in place, whether that’s flood barriers, tanking, or a fitted sump pump, tend to see more favourable premiums than equivalent properties with none. For a buyer weighing up ongoing costs, that difference matters, and it’s one they’ll usually ask about.
Flood protection won’t turn a high-risk property into a low-risk one on paper, and no reputable flood defence solutions provider should claim otherwise. What it does is give buyers, sellers and lenders something concrete to point to instead of an unanswered question.
If you’re thinking of selling and want to know where your property currently stands, Stormguard Floodplan can carry out an assessment and explain exactly what, if anything, would help. Call 01260 289 089 or email info@floodplan.co.uk, or use our contact form to arrange a time that suits you.