Updated: June 04, 2025
Getting a Mortgage on a Flood Risk Property
Has your mortgage been refused due to flood risk? If you're buying a house in any of the flood zones, we tell you how to boost your chances of acceptance.
Which lenders have you already tried?
40% of our customers had been declined elsewhere before coming to us. The brokers we work with will be able to assess your circumstances and then identify the right lender for you instead of going direct.
Written by Pete Mugleston
Mortgage Expert, MD
Being based on an island in the UK, with plenty of bad weather, means that flooding is a real possibility in some areas. This might be due to rainfall, rising sea water, or a host of other issues.
This guide will cover everything you need to know if you’ve had a mortgage refused due to flood risk.
This will include what steps to take if you’re declined, how you can still secure borrowing on the property you want to buy and where to look for guidance.
Can a mortgage be refused due to flood risk?
Yes, it’s possible, but it’s not a certainty. Some properties are located in areas susceptible to flooding.
So, there are lenders who will provide mortgages in these at-risk zones.
Speaking with a broker who specialises in flood risk zones and knows the ins and outs of these areas will give you the best chance of securing a mortgage.
Even if you’ve been previously declined, they can still help find the right deal for your situation.
Speak To an Expert in Mortgages in Flood Zones
Maximise your chance of approval with specialist advice from a mortgage expert.
Different levels of flood risk in the UK
Not all areas have the same risk of flooding. Zones were introduced by the Environment Agency to reflect the various levels of flood risk within the UK.
It’s worthwhile getting a good understanding of these zones, because they’ll play a big part in your ability to get a mortgage in certain locations.
Some lenders may refuse applications for areas with a risk of flooding.
Whereas others might ask for a comprehensive insurance plan.
To give you an idea of how locations are categorised, here’s a quick overview of the four flood zones in the UK:
This is the lowest level of flood risk. Properties within zone 1 tend to have less than a 0.1% possibility of flooding each year.
Think of it like a one-in-a-thousand chance.
Because of the low risk level, there are relatively few restrictions, and you may not have much difficulty securing a mortgage in these locations.
Within this zone, there is a slightly higher risk of floods. So if you’re buying a house in flood zone 2, this means between a 0.1%-1% probability of river flooding each year.
There is also a 0.1%-0.5% risk of flooding from sea water.
Any properties within this zone will likely come with potential complications and some additional eligibility requirements, but it’s still very possible to secure a mortgage on one.
Locations within this zone have a greater than 1% chance of flooding from rivers and a 0.5% risk of sea water floods yearly.
Because this is a higher-risk zone, you will almost certainly encounter difficulties getting a mortgage for a property.
In these cases, a broker can help you understand your options and the situation better.
Properties in zone 3b are the most at risk because these areas are classified as ‘functional floodplains’.
These spots usually have a risk of flooding of over 5% each year, and they are sometimes used as areas to store water or allow it to flow through during floods.
What to do if you’ve been declined a mortgage because of flood risk
If you’re mortgage application has been declined because of a flood risk property, here’s what you can do next:
1. Be patient and find out why
If you’re declined, your first reaction might be to reapply with a different lender immediately, but this is often not the best idea.
First of all, you must fully understand why you were declined in the first place.
This means ensuring the rejection was completely due to flood risk and no other factors. If it was just due to potential flooding, how big a risk is it?
2. Consider your credit rating
When you apply for a mortgage, it impacts your credit report.
Even if your application was declined due to flood risk, it’s important to remember that multiple applications for finance in a short time can negatively affect your credit rating.
Before you try to reapply, download your credit reports and have a good look to see whether there are any inaccuracies or outdated information that could be affecting your chances. Then, make sure it’s removed.
3. Speak to an expert
If you’ve been unsuccessful with your application due to the risk of flooding, speaking to a broker specialising in getting mortgages under such circumstances could be a very shrewd move.
They can boost your chances of mortgage approval and assist you in getting property insurance from a reputable provider to cover you from the risks of floods.
Our free broker-matching service will ensure that you are connected with the right expert for your situation.
This can significantly enhance your application and increase your chances of dealing with the right lender for such cases.
Make an enquiry or call 0330 822 0505 to get started.
Our Broker-Matching Service Guaranteed!
We want you to have complete confidence in our service and get the best chance of securing your mortgage. We guarantee to get your mortgage approved where others can’t – or we’ll give you £100*
Flood insurance
This is simply an insurance policy you can take out to help cover costs in a flood situation.
Flood damage to properties can be a really expensive mess, and insurers might charge higher premiums to cover the potentially high repair costs. In high-risk cases, some insurers might not even wish to cover the property at all.
However, you will still have plenty of options and paths to take. However, your lender may require policies to meet certain standards, and some insurers may offer more competitive prices than others.
If the property you’re looking to buy is located in a high—or even medium-risk zone, it’s important that you get the right insurance policy to ensure your complete coverage.
Get matched with a flood risk mortgage specialist
Trying to get a mortgage on a property in a flood risk zone or re-applying for a mortgage after a refusal can be tricky.
Luckily, speaking to a specialist broker can help you avoid most of the common pitfalls and give your application the best chance of success.
We will match you with an expert who can explain everything and connect you with the right lender from day one.
This will save you time, resources, and prevent unwanted marks on your credit report. Just call 0330 822 0505 or make an enquiry to get the ball rolling, and we’ll introduce you to an expert mortgage broker for free.
Ask a quick question
We know everyone's circumstances are different, that's why we work with mortgage brokers who are experts in all different mortgage subjects. Ask us a question and we'll get the best expert to help.
Written by Pete Mugleston
Mortgage Expert, MD
Pete, an expert in all things mortgages, cut his teeth right in the middle of the credit crunch. With plenty of people needing help and few mortgage providers lending, Pete found great success in going the extra mile to find mortgages for people whom many others considered lost causes. The experience he gained, coupled with his love of helping people reach their goals, led him to establish Online Mortgage Advisor, with one clear vision – to help as many customers as possible get the right advice, regardless of need or background.
Pete’s presence in the industry as the ‘go-to’ for specialist finance continues to grow, and he is regularly cited in and writes for both local and national press, as well as trade publications, with a regular column in Mortgage Introducer and being the exclusive mortgage expert for LOVEMoney. Pete also writes for OMA of course!
Reviews
Here are some of our latest five star reviews