Between the submersions of the seaside, the floods of the rivers and the storms such as Xynthia, the floods represent the first natural risk in France.

One in three municipalities is affected, including 300 large agglomerations, or 17 million people in total.

Even the Élysée was built in a flood zone.

Prevention requires, a specific real estate policy is put in place to inform buyers and residents.

A breeding ground for disasters

France has taken a very long time to take into account the dangers inherent in our territory. It was not until the 1990s that the State launched a prevention policy by encouraging municipalities to create natural risk prevention plans (PPRN) and, in this case, plans dedicated to flood risks. (PPRI). Compulsory since 1995, these documents allow three types of sectors to be identified, depending on the historically most significant floods.

High risk areas, in red, cannot be built. That said, buildings prior to this regulation can remain inhabited, extended (garage, shelter, swimming pool, etc.) and even be re-let despite the danger. The blue marking indicates, for its part, an average risk allowing the construction of buildings, subject to facilitating the flow of water while respecting certain specific standards. This involves, for example, locating the accommodation on the least exposed part of the land, raising the living floor, placing the bedrooms or the living room on the upper floors or even creating a refuge area. Finally, the white areas are deemed to be safe and do not impose any particular constraints.

If these prevention plans have the merit of existing, they are far from dissuading real estate projects.

In risk areas, prices are necessarily lower, which makes these territories paradoxically coveted.

A duty of information

Failing to leave places that are too dangerous, the policy in force therefore consists of relying on preventive information and attempting to manage water overflows. As soon as a flood risk prevention plan applies in the municipality, sellers and lessors have the obligation to provide a risk statement dating back less than 6 months to potential tenants and buyers. It is added to the long list of documents making up the technical diagnosis. In order to be completely transparent, the landlord must also mention in the lease or deed of sale whether he has already suffered a loss giving rise to the payment of compensation for natural disaster. In the event of willful omission,he can be prosecuted at the civil level (award of damages and cancellation of the sale) and also incurs heavy financial penalties (up to 300,000 euros in fine and two years in prison).

Are you planning to rent or buy a property in a flood zone?

In order to engage in full knowledge of the facts, it is better to conduct a thorough investigation.

To get an idea of ​​the situation, you can consult the official Georisques.gouv.fr portal, which lists data on all natural and technological risks in France, and of course contact the town hall of the desired place of residence.

Through the official site Vigicrues.gouv.fr and its annual reports, you can also find out about recent meteorological developments.

This platform is also a reference for residents of flood-prone areas and allows them to receive real-time alerts on the risk of flooding.

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Precautions to be taken

Before buying a property located in a flood zone, you must be careful:

  • Check the risk level: white, blue or red area.

    Once the color has been determined, ask for as much information as possible about the land, the specifications of the property and any constraints and construction standards.

    Also remember to inquire about the possibilities of subsequent expansion and closing of the property to avoid unpleasant surprises.

  • Negotiate the price: a risky territory implies a drop in price.

    It is therefore a question of obtaining information beforehand to take advantage of it.

    On the other hand, a very low tariff could bode ill for the reality of the risk of flooding ...

  • Beware of insurance: before signing, find out about the cost and guarantees of your future home insurance.

    In flood zones, the bill obviously tends to increase.

  • Lodging

  • Flood

  • Real estate

  • Rental

  • Legislation

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