Storm Bert, flooding aftermath and impact on homes

For those living in Wales, parts of the north and Northamptonshire and several other pockets around the country, it won't have escaped their notice that the ferocity of the storm, named Bert by the Met Office, has created flooding problems once more.

With the increase in weather events of this nature, an impact of the global climate crisis, it means that reporting on the fallout of the problems is never far away from the rolling news each day. Rivers burst their banks, people living in low-lying areas are swamped, previously applied flood defences now proving inadequate - the list goes on.

And, in the case of Storm Bert, the misery continued as more heavy rain came in the north of Scotland and across Northamptonshire and the West Midlands hot on the tail of the weekend's problems.

Even though there might be blue skies overhead and the last vestiges of the storm appear to have passed, there are still problems being stored up. Rain that has hit already waterlogged ground will be racing towards rivers and streams, swelling their already swollen waters and rush down-stream, causing overflows and further bursting of banks where it finds weaknesses.

The current government has reacted to the events by meeting with the Environment Agency, the department responsible for such problems and dealing with the aftermath. This is certainly laudable as they try to deal with the problems created by the storm, providing advice to the public as to what they should do to check whether they are vulnerable to any flooding.

But that doesn't prevent concerns of home-owners when Storm Conall (the next big and imminent storm when it transpires) spreads across the land. It's a tricky balance that the government has to achieve between managing the public purse and spending money of expensive flood defences - but it's a call that someone has to make, because the clean-up cost is significant too and it's not just funded by insurance companies or the impacted private individuals.

It certainly raises the point that many homes don't necessarily carry either building or contents insurance, partly because the cost has risen as a direct result of the damage such weather events cause. However, having insurance does protect the individual from any devastating problems from flooding, if the policy makes provision for it. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued helpful advice for those who want to make a claim, and also underpinning the support that will come from its members to their policyholders.

Storm Bert is yet another warning that judicious decisions should be taken when planning to buy a new home. The government has reiterated its plans to build 1.5m homes across the duration of the current Parliament (which will last until the end of the decade at the latest), which means some important infrastructural decisions will need to be made in the race to supply such large numbers to be added to the housing stock.

What you, as the prospective buyer, can do is to line up your conveyancing solicitor as early as possible. As part of their searches, they will be able to uncover the history of flooding not only at your property but in the general area. Where there is a raised risk of flooding in the future - or for your peace of mind on the subject - your solicitor may suggest ordering a specialist flood assessment by a third party firm (this will be an additional cost over and above the solicitor's quoted fees).

In addition, you should order your RICS Survey as early as possible on the property. If there is a history of flooding or the risk level is sufficiently high, your chartered surveyor will be able to identify any structural issues and concerns created by the flood-waters; they will also analyse the defences that the home has in place to prevent ingress of flood water where such exists.

The survey report may also highlight key questions that your solicitor should take forward to the appropriate authorities to establish the precise position - or, indeed, the lack of it.

Armed with all of this information, you'll be able to make an informed decision on what you want to do with your planned purchase.

Worried about the home you are planning to buy and whether flooding has been or might be considerable issue? You can rely on the experts at Homeward Legal to help you with a thorough job. 

They will start work on your planned purchase as soon as you agree to the quotation and appoint them to represent you. 

Homeward Legal will also provide a quote that will not change - what you are quoted is what you pay for standard conveyancing process, which means you can effectively budget for your conveyancing needs.

There are some unforeseen items that might arise during the purchase and/or sale, which includes a specialist flood assessment report, but the solicitor discusses these and their cost as they come up. 

In addition, to protect the home+buyer further, Homeward Legal operates a ‘no completion, no fee' promise, which ensures that, should the purchase or sale not go through as planned to completion status, no payment is required.

Call  to get your conveyancing quote started, or to discuss your concerns with your plans to move.

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