Do insurance companies pay out for flood damage?

When you're getting your home insurance, if your property is at risk of flooding, you might have to pay a more expensive premium. With the problem of flooding becoming more widespread, the number of insurance claims has risen too. In order to help level the number of premiums to be paid, a new government scheme has been introduce - it is called Flood Re. This scheme allows both homeowners and insurance companies to also have protection. "Flood Re works with insurers behind the scenes. When you buy home insurance cover, your insurer can choose to pass the flood risk element of your policy to us for a fixed price." "If you make a valid claim for flooding, your insurer will pay the claim. Later on, we’ll reimburse that insurer from the Flood Re fund." "In short, you buy home insurance in the usual way. We cover the flood risk and that helps to keep your premiums down."

Do estate agents have to tell you about flooding?

Yes, estate agents have to inform you of any factors which could affect the property's value or asking price. If the property has a history of flooding and the estate agent fail to disclose it, this can lead to a case of property misrepresentation claim.

Should I buy a property in a flood risk area?

If you've found your dream property, but you're worried that it is located in a flood affected area, there are certain precautions you can take. Check the flooding history by postcode Order a flood risk report Get your property insured Sign up for flood warnings Before making your purchase, you can also read the RICS Consumers Guide to Flooding.

SAM Conveyancing's guide on How To Sell A House That Has Flooded

Worried about your home's flood history? You can still sell your property, even if it is at risk of flooding. Be prepared to negotiate the price.

Get a flood risk check for your property to confirm if you are at risk for a fixed fee of £64 INC VAT. Report emailed within 2 working hours*.

How To Sell A House That Has Flooded

by:

Laura Cristian

Last Updated: 10/06/2026

Read by:

2,627

5 min read

Key Takeaways

If you're unsure how to sell a house that has flooded, you can still do it, but your property's value might decrease.
Although there is a flood risk, people are still buying properties in affected areas. You will need to give a detailed and accurate description of the property's history in the TA6 Form.
Any home that is at risk of flooding can still be insured, although a more expensive premium might be payable. Measures have been taken to minimise that premium.

If you're worried about how to sell your house when it's been flooded, rest assured - it is possible to sell. Previous history of flooding might not deter all buyers, so you can certainly find someone to purchase your property. The process of selling your house will be the same as if the house wasn't at risk of flooding. However, it will involve:

Giving an accurate description of the flood history of your property
Your buyer's lender making it a condition for the property to be insured

Being at risk of flooding will cause property prices to decrease, so you need to be prepared to sell for a lower price. You are also liable for declaring flooding when selling a house.

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How much does flooding devalue a house?

If your property is located in an area that is prone to flooding, this can cause its value to decrease. This can range anywhere from £10,000 to £30,000, depending on how high that risk is. With flooding being a rising concern, many homeowners are worried about how to sell a house that has flooded.

If you're wondering how to sell a house that has flooded, you should always be prepared for buyers to negotiate your asking price. If they're taking on a risk or have pay more expensive premiums for insurance, chances are they will try to offer less for your property.

Do solicitors check flood risk?

A flood risk report is not mandatory when buying a house. The buyer's solicitor can suggest ordering this search once they become aware that the property is located in an area prone to flooding. It is the buyer's choice if they check for this.

Alternatively, if you already have a flood risk report done on your property, you can provide the buyer with a copy of the results, to reassure them of inform them of the risks.

Do you need a flood risk report to sell a house?

No, you do not need one. You are responsible for declaring flooding when selling a house, but this is usually done through the property's TA6 Form. A flood risk report is an additional conveyancing search and it is usually ordered and paid for by the buyer. However, as stated above, flood risk reports are not mandatory.

If your buyer is using a mortgage, a risk will be highlighted in the mandatory environmental search. In order to get more details, they might have to get a flood risk report. Alternatively, cash buyers are not restricted by any lender's requirements, so they can choose to order this report if they want to check for any flooding risks.

Do home sellers have to disclose flooding?

Bear in mind that as a seller, if you're wondering how to sell your house when it's been flooded, honesty is the best policy. You are responsible for disclosing all information you have about the flood history of your property. This is usually written in the TA6 Form. This is the form you will give your potential buyers with all information about the property.

Although it may seem difficult, you can sell your house, even if it has flooded in the past. SAM Conveyancing can help you with this entire process.

Fixed fee of £64 INC VAT | Turnaround time of 2 hours*

Get the best price for your property by tackling these 10 things that cause property values to decrease, before you list your home.

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Written by: Laura Cristian

Laura has a talent for data analysis and fact-finding. She is an advertising graduate with a broad range of skills in the web marketing field within conveyancing sector. She works closely with our panel of solicitors and surveyors to understand our clients' needs and challenges and to write the most valuable content for you.

Reviewed by: Amanda Ambler

Amanda Ambler is a highly accomplished conveyancing specialist with over 15 years of dedicated experience across residential property law, legal compliance, and practice management. Having held senior roles, including Head of Legal Practice and Head of Conveyancing at established UK law firms, Amanda possesses a profound, hands-on understanding of the technical intricacies of the property market.

As the designated Legal Content Reviewer for SAM Conveyancing, Amanda ensures that every guide, legal update, and resource published meets the absolute highest standards of accuracy, regulatory compliance, and factual integrity. Her rigorous review process guarantees that complex property legislation and industry processes are communicated clearly, transparently, and safely for home buyers and sellers alike.

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