Why We Released Our Climate Change Section Early

Climate change is reshaping the way we think about property risks, and with that comes an evolving role for conveyancers. The upcoming Law Society practice note will bring much-needed clarity to how climate risks should be considered in the transaction process, but we felt that waiting for the new guidance was not the right thing to do.

We have not updated our Climate Change section to sell more datasets or overwhelm people with unnecessary detail. We have done it to ensure home buyers are getting the right environmental report for today’s climate. Homes in the UK were built for a different era, and the reality is that changing weather patterns will inevitably have an impact on properties. Our goal is to provide clear, practical insights and offer support wherever it is needed, whether that is through a phone call, online content or direct email support, so that everyone involved can get to the right answer quickly.

We know that many conveyancers are cautious about reporting on risks that they are not explicitly required to. The upcoming Law Society practice note is expected to bring more certainty around this, but the reality is that lenders are already factoring climate risks into their decision-making, and home buyers are asking more questions than ever before.

Rather than waiting for the regulatory framework to catch up, we wanted to act now to ensure that our reports reflect the climate risks that are already shaping the future of home ownership. That does not mean throwing every dataset available at the problem. It means curating the right information, in the right way, to help everyone feel prepared.

Our updated Climate Change section focuses on the six key physical risks that could affect property:

• Shrink-Swell
  Changing moisture levels in the soil can lead to ground movement and structural damage. Our data shows that in high-risk regions, repair costs could increase by up to 30 percent by 2070, with 20 percent of properties already showing signs of shrink-swell issues.

• Flooding
  Increased rainfall and changing weather patterns mean flood risks are evolving. One in six UK homes faces significant flood risk, with annual economic losses estimated at £1.6 billion. This information is crucial for understanding the impact on property maintenance and insurance.

• Coastal Erosion
  A growing concern for properties near the coastline, with shifting shorelines changing the long-term stability of land. Although many areas are currently at low risk, regions with higher erosion rates have seen repair spending increase by up to nine times over the past decade.

• Heat Stress
  Hotter summers and prolonged heatwaves can affect the durability of building materials. Nearly 4.6 million homes in England and Wales are affected by excessive heat, and recent years have seen a notable increase in heat-related fatalities.

• Wildfire
  Previously rare in the UK but now a growing concern, particularly in areas with dry vegetation. Wildfire frequency has increased by 300 percent compared to the 20th century, with approximately 360,000 hectares burnt over recent decades, highlighting the need for early mitigation.

• Drought
  Less rainfall in some areas could impact everything from ground stability to water supply. Extended drought conditions could reduce local water supplies by up to 15 percent by 2050, and 2022 saw a 218 percent increase in subsidence claims linked to drought conditions.

We focus on realistic, moderate climate scenarios and timeframes that align with a typical 35-year mortgage, ensuring that home buyers can make sense of the information in a way that is practical and relevant.

Understanding climate risks is not about creating uncertainty or adding complexity to the home buying process, it is about helping people feel prepared. That is why our approach is not just about delivering a report, it is about offering real support.

• We are available to talk: Home buyers, conveyancers and property professionals can call us directly if they need help interpreting the findings.
• We provide online content: Our website is regularly updated with guides and insights to help clarify key issues.
• We encourage open conversations: If something in our report is not clear, we are committed to helping people find the right answers as quickly as possible.

The UK’s housing stock was built for a milder climate, and we need to ensure that our reports reflect the reality of today’s world. Our decision to release this section early was not about getting ahead of the competition or adding complexity, it was about making sure home buyers get the right environmental report for the climate risks they will actually face.

As the legal framework catches up, we will continue to support conveyancers and property professionals in any way we can, ensuring that everyone involved in a transaction has the information they need to feel confident and prepared for the future.