Web site provides homebuyers with guideline to local flood risk

Travel chaos and major disruption has continued after heavy floods in England caused damage estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds.

The Association of British Insurers estimates that the cost of the flood damage will run into hundreds of millions of pounds, and has called on the government to spend more on flood defences.

According the Landmark Information Group, Britain’s leading provider of Environmental reports, it is estimated that up to 5 million people, in 2 million properties currently live in flood risk areas across England and Wales.

The company has recently unveiled its new Homecheck website homecheck.co.uk – an advanced, easy-to-use search tool designed to provide homeowners and buyers with area based neighbourhood, environmental and planning information, including a guideline to local flood risk.

In addition to the free Homecheck website, Landmark provides the market leading professional flood reports purchased via solicitors in the homebuying process. These will indicate whether or not a property or surrounding area could be affected by flooding. Information is derived from the latest available Environment Agency flood data, which accounts for land contours, river and sea defences and includes modelling based on 100 and 1000 year events.

James Sherwood-Rogers, Managing Director of Landmark Legal & Financial comments: “Our condolences go out to all those affected by recent events. Major floods can have a terrible affect on people lives as we have seen over the past 48 hours.

“Unfortunately increasing extreme weather conditions will mean floods will become more frequent over the coming years. However, there are precautions homebuyers and owners who are at risk of flooding can take to minimise the damage a flood can cause. For example, putting power points and major connections higher up the property or placing sandbags around the property, Ensuring homebuyers are aware of the potential risks to their home before buying by getting an environmental search done by their solicitor before they buy will let them know if these prevention methods are necessary.”

Landmark urges homebuyers to think carefully about the proximity of flood plains and tidal stretches in relation to their future home and ensure they are well informed of potential risks that could affect them.

For further information on Homecheck visit homecheck.co.uk.