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This is a long shot but....

I'm thinking of moving house, we've found a place that we really like but it is on the edge of a flooding area according to the environment agency flood maps. The house isn't *in* the flooding area, it is on the edge, the chance of flooding to the area near the house is low (1 in 200 chance in any one year). Would you buy it!? The ultra conservative in me says 'no way' but I love the house and 1 in 200 seems like long odds and the flooding area is not actually covering the property. Any opinions gratefully received!

Thanks,

Craig.

A Chartered Surveyor (one that doesn't just look out his car window and give the place a thumbs up) would be the best person to ask about this. I would also consider getting a buildings insurance quote on the house you plan to buy and the same/similar house in a similar area but nowhere near the flood plains. If there is a big difference then I would avoid, insurance companies know what they are doing and if they think the risk is worthy of a premium I would be very weary.

On top of this if the property becomes an increased flood risk in the future (due to environmental changes, construction etc.) you may not be able to get insurance against flooding at all. Many of the people in Cumbria are faced with this problem and flooding is a big one on the insurers watch list as it seems to hit the news more and more each year.

I personally would not buy it. I had a similar choice a year ago and decided against it. No where is guaranteed to be safe but if there is a possibility in the future why take an unnecessary risk? After all it's a house you intend to live in, it's not as if you can live without it and if you are unsure about buying it now, imagine the difficulties you will have in the future if there is any kind of flood record in the area of your house.

Just some things worth considering.

Thanks for the response. It might all be academic now because our buyer has dropped out so we can't move anyway - doh!

Craig.