How can you check if you live in a flood risk area?

The quickest and easiest way to find out if your property is prone to flooding is to check a flood risk map.

The Environment Agency provides live maps which give information about long-term flood risk to properties.

Its online postcode search  will enable you to find out if the area you are in is in danger of being flooded. You can also sign up for free flood alerts on the agency’s website, with warnings available by text, phone or email.

If you are looking to buy in an area, it might be worth talking to local residents to see if they have had any problems.

You can also request a Land Registry report if you live in England or Wales, which gives a detailed risk analysis for every registered property.

Properties are not just at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. Surface water, overflowing sewers and groundwater are also increasingly common causes of flooding.

Flooding can cause substantial long-lasting damage to a building. Experts advise prospective buyers purchasing a home in a flood risk zone to take out an extensive flood risk assessment to get a better picture. This is usually organised by a solicitor or a conveyancer, who will carry out a physical inspection and provide advice on the impact of flood risk and identify appropriate protection measures.

Conveyancing firm SearchFlow believes searches to identify the risk of flooding following the scale of devastation of the winter’s storms are set to become standard.

Maud Rousseau of SearchFlow said: “Since the devastating floods over the recent winter months, there has already been a 10% increase in flood reports ordered in just one month.

“Sources of flooding could be from rivers, coastal or reservoir flooding but in addition overland surface water and ground water flooding, as the water table rises above normal levels, could be the cause. Therefore it is very difficult to predict whether a property is likely to be affected unless your conveyancer commissions a flood risk assessment.

“Ensuring you are informed, prior to purchasing a property, could save you money and help protect yourself and your property. The report findings can also be invaluable to ensure you have the correct insurance in place.

“In addition, identifying if you are in a flood risk area could have a negative impact on property price and consequently the resell value of your property. It is therefore crucial you are informed of everything before you proceed with a purchase.”