Climate risk and its impact on the housing market

There are many things buyers will want to consider when they're looking at a property with a view to putting in an offer.

It might be the location, it could be the size, or it might come down to the effort and expense needed to bring the home up to the standard they want. Of course, it might simply be the budget and the ability to put in an offer the seller will accept.

But in recent months, one factor has been rising up the list: climate risk. Severe weather events are becoming more common. We're in the third major heatwave in under two months, with the potential for more as the summer wears on.

Progress isn't helped by the reluctance of many countries to commit the budget needed to reduce carbon emissions and move to a greener economy. Until that changes globally, it's unlikely that meaningful strides will be made on the wider problem. In the meantime, we can all still do our bit, and for homebuyers, climate risk is an issue that's growing in importance.

This is according to new research from Landmark Information Group, published in its report Climate Change in the Property Sector 2026: Turning Insight into Action, and reported in Estate Agent Today and elsewhere.

Previously, the main concern buyers raised was evidence of prior flooding and the likelihood of future flood events. Flooding still matters, but attention is now spreading to heat stress in a property's structure, the risk of subsidence caused by weather events drying out the soil around foundations, and energy performance, including the EPC rating included in the sale details.

Landmark found that 81% of property professionals now say climate risk has become as important as other due diligence checks. Client concern has increased most among mortgage lenders (76%), followed by estate agents (68%) and conveyancing solicitors (60%).

Despite this shift in attitude, three-quarters of property professionals believe climate risks are still being identified too late in the process, adding delay to a system already under pressure. When risks are found late, the most common outcome is delay while further checks are carried out, affecting around three in ten transactions.

The reasons aren't hard to find. The main barriers cited were a lack of clear regulation (27%), gaps in data availability (19%) and the cost of adopting new tools (15%). Some 87% of property professionals said they'd act sooner if climate data were easier to access and interpret, and the same proportion called for more consistency in how and when that information is shared.

So, whether you're buying or selling, it's worth being prepared for potential delays, particularly where questions arise around climate risk. If a flood risk report is likely to form part of your searches, it helps to know what it covers and why your solicitor might recommend one.

Whatever stage you're at, you'll want legal representation that keeps things moving quickly and efficiently, with the experience to protect you along the way. That's why it pays to talk to Homeward Legal as soon as possible.

Our conveyancers start work as soon as you agree to your quotation and appoint them to represent you. Call us on  to get your conveyancing quote started, or to talk through your plans to move, or get a quick quote using our easy-to-use quote generator.