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Flooding unlikely to affect house prices

25/06/2008
 
 
The research, which will be discussed at an international conference on flooding next week, revealed that in many locations which suffered in the 2000 floods there was no measurable decrease in property price.
 
PhD student Jessica Lamond, of Shrewsbury, examined over 6,000 properties in 13 UK locations. She was supervised by renowned flood expert Professor David Proverbs, Head of Construction and Infrastructure of the University’s School of Engineering and the Built Environment.
 
There had been a great deal of recent debate about the stigma of flooding and flood risk, she said. This had been highlighted by huge increases in premiums, or even withdrawal of insurance from some flooded householders, as well as the publication of floodplain maps showing areas most at risk.
 
Jessica said: “The research suggests the majority of homeowners who are flooded can reinstate their home in the confidence that they will be able to sell without loss of value.
 
“For the small minority of locations where a price dip was observed- mainly towns where there were several incidents - the effect was temporary ; prices recovered within three years at the most, often more quickly.”
 
She said the study found no effect of floodplain designation alone on property prices and that in most property transactions insurance availability was not an issue. However she warns that this situation could change if flood risk searches became mandatory or if insurers’ attitudes changed.
 
“Further reassurance to property owners can be given by the findings that the vast majority of residents who had flooded or who were at risk of flooding could get insurance at a competitive rate,” she added.
 
Professor Proverbs has undertaken numerous research projects, both for industry and the government. These recent results formed part of his invited contribution to the evidence for the recent Pitt Review of summer 2007 flooding.
 
He said: “This research provides some valuable insight and should give some peace of mind to homeowners affected by recent floods.”
 
Professor Proverbs is currently looking into community-wide resilience to extreme weather events as part of a £1.6m research programme for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. He will be hosting an international conference on the topic of flood recovery, innovation and response at the ICE in London - see www.floodrepair.net for further details.
 
His areas of research specialism include international benchmarking, construction productivity, contractor performance, flood damage assessment and flood repair, and satisfaction issues.

Further information

6,314 properties were studied in 13 locations:
 
Barlby
Bewdley
Hatton
Lewes
Malton and Norton
Mold
Newport
Ruthin
Shrewsbury
Southsea
Woking
 
Control locations not flooded but at risk:
 
Wakefield
West Bridgford
 
For more information please contact Emma Kilvert in the press office on 01902 322003.
 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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