§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that home sellers' packs include information on(a) a flooding history of the property and (b) whether the property entails riparian ownership. [27007]
§ Ms KeebleUnder the Government's proposals for sellers' packs, prospective buyers will be provided with key information about homes being marketed for sale. We are planning to go out to consultation in the spring to seek views on the contents of the sellers' pack. Information concerning flood risk and obligations that will transfer with the ownership of the property are among the items to be covered by the consultation.
In the meantime, the Environment Agency is currently engaged in discussions with the Law Society on making an 'Environment Agency Property Search Report', a standard part of the domestic and commercial conveyancing process in England and Wales. A pilot trial is running in North Wales and work is under way to extend this. Each Environment Agency report will include information on flood risk as well as other environmental data for which the agency has responsibility.