If you are selling a house that has a history of floods, it is natural to be nervous as to how much you should disclose to any potential buyers. Yes, the history of flooding will impact the price and can put off buyers. It is best to be open and honest.
Full disclosure is the only safe, ethical, and legal method.
You are not alone. One in six UK homes are in a flood risk area – and with an increase in extreme weather conditions, this is likely to grow. You have tried your best to protect your home from floods, but the worst has happened.
Buying a property with flood risk may negate an owner’s ability to obtain affordable building insurance. Being insured is part of your mortgage condition.
Table of Contents
What makes a flood a flood?
Insurance companies define flood as external water entering your home. The causes can vary from excessive rain from overflowing rivers or lakes or a burst water main.
It is important to distinguish the difference between flood and escape of water. Escape of water occurs through a leaky pipe within a home – or it is an isolated incident such as a leaky roof.
One of the best things you can do is to protect your home from break-ins. Often, thieves will target a home to steal copper pipes as well as valuables, even when you have nipped out for groceries.
Do sellers have to disclose flooding?
Yes 100%. Once an offer has been accepted, the seller will complete Property Information Form (TA6). The seller’s solicitor will then forward this to the buyer’s solicitor.
It forms part of the legal contract of sale of your property. If the seller withholds or misrepresents any information on this form, he/she can be sued for damages. The TA6 forms asks:
‘Has any part of the property (whether buildings or surrounding garden or land) ever been flooded?
If Yes, please state when the flooding occurred and identify the parts that flooded.’
The history of flooding will be picked up in the Environmental Search Report. You must answer this question honestly because if a seller has lied about flooding, then the buyer will lose their trust and can pull out of the sale.
TA6 form allows you to highlight any preventative steps taken since the flooding such as:
- Have you/the local council now installed flood defences?
- Have you carried out any flood-proofing refurbishments to your house?
How much does flooding devalue a house?
Flooding can reduce as much as 40% of the market value of a property because flooded homes are much harder to sell.
Because of the history of flooding, it will be difficult to get a competitive insurance premium or being able to obtain a mortgage on a property.
Can you sell a house that has been flooded?
It will be difficult to sell a flooded home on the open market. However, this is not an issue for us.
Property Saviour doesn’t need a mortgage to buy your home. We’ll make you a cash offer, and if you accept, we’ll complete the purchase within a couple of weeks or within a timescale that works for you.
Whether you are stuck in a property chain or simply wish to move on, we are here to help. There are no fees to pay. We’ll pay up to £1,500 towards your legal fees too. Contact us today to see how we can help.
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
