This year’s National Conveyancing Week (NCW2025) runs from 17–21 March 2025.
Following on from the success of previous events, NCW2025 aims to to advocate, inspire and promote the vital role conveyancers play in the home moving process.
At Bookers & Bolton, we are proud to support the initiative and, to mark NCW2025, we are publishing a series of conveyancing-related posts.
Here, we look at how climate change is increasingly affecting property sales and purchases in England and Wales.
Climate Change and Buying a Home
Climate change is now something that crops up in property transactions in the UK.
As the impact of climate change becomes more apparent, it is starting to affect property values, buyer decisions, and lender requirements.
- Increased Risk of Flooding
The UK is experiencing more frequent and intense weather events, including flooding due to rising sea levels and heavier rainfall.
This has made properties in flood-prone areas less desirable, which can impact their value.
Areas at high risk of flooding could lead to lower property values or even difficulty selling and mortgaging properties. This can result in:
- Buyers avoiding properties in flood-prone areas.
- Increased insurance premiums or difficulties obtaining insurance.
- Sellers needing to disclose flood risk and any issues they have experienced as part of the conveyancing transaction.
- Mortgage lenders being hesitant to provide mortgages for high-risk properties.
- Energy Efficiency and Green Building Standards.
As the UK works to reduce carbon emissions, there is growing pressure to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
Homes with poor energy performance, indicated by lower Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), could see lower demand and reduced prices as buyers prioritise energy-efficient homes to lower long-term costs and reduce the environmental impact.
This means that:
- Properties with higher EPC ratings (A to C) are becoming more attractive to buyers.
- Lower EPC-rated homes may face reduced demand or even be harder to sell.
- Regulations, such as the banning of new lettings for properties with EPC ratings below E, will affect landlords’ ability to rent out properties that do not meet energy efficiency standards.
At Bookers & Bolton we carry out a Groundsure Homebuyers search which reveals the potential climate change risk/ impact in five years and in 30 years’ time so buyers can make an informed decision as to the potential risks when they purchase their property.
Conveyancing Solicitors Alton and Hampshire
If you are looking to buy a property and want some advice, please contact Bookers & Bolton. Our team of specialist conveyancing solicitors provide outstanding property advice on all stages of a house sale or purchase.
We have a 100-year history as a law firm and are proud to serve our local community of Alton, Hampshire and beyond.
To speak to a member of the team, call 01420 558335 or email enquiries@bookersandbolton.co.uk.
For more information about our services, accreditations and the team members involved, please visit our Residential Conveyancing Page.
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