Flood risk

Property professionals need a sound knowledge of flooding and its sources and causes, as this can affect residential property owners’ ability to obtain mortgage finance and insurance. Such professionals also need to understand the impacts of flooding on buildings, and how to mitigate these through the use of appropriate measures and interventions.

Surveyors should understand the damage that flooding can cause to buildings, including their constituent components and materials. They should also be able to advise on the suitable repair and recovery of flood-damaged property, whether residential or commercial. Similarly, they should have a broad understanding of the concepts of flood resilience and adaptation in the context of individual properties and the wider built environment.

Flooding affects land and property values, investment and planning decisions, and the nature of property development, refurbishment and protection schemes. Research also underlines its considerable psycho-social impacts, pointing to the importance of the surveyor’s professional knowledge and softer skills in dealing with severe flooding.

Flooding or the risk of flooding should be reported in an appropriate way at the appropriate time, such as during mortgage valuations and surveys.

This section is maintained by Prof. David Proverbs, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Innovation at De Montfort University.

isurv section: Flood remediation

Research: What is the impact of flooding on property values? (RICS)

RICS consumer guide: Flooding

RICS journal article: Bracing the UK for rising flood risk

RICS journal article: Flood risk in London

RICS standard: Home survey standard