The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released a landmark practice information paper, Flooding and its Implications for Property Professionals, offering a thorough overview of the increasing challenges and responsibilities related to flood risk across the United Kingdom.
Authored by Charles Cowap of Harper Adams University, with contributions from Michael Chichester, James Ginley, Ben Sharp, and a cross-disciplinary expert working group, the publication explores the vital role surveyors play in helping clients, communities, and policymakers navigate the growing impact of flooding.
As the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment identifies flooding as “one of the most severe climate hazards,” RICS underscores the importance of integrating flood risk awareness and resilience into every aspect of professional practice. This includes areas such as valuation, planning, land management, construction, and property management.
The guidance highlights a proactive approach, calling on surveyors across all specialisms to embed flood resilience into decision-making processes and support efforts to mitigate long-term environmental and economic risks.
The 2025 RICS practice paper brings together knowledge on:
+ Types and sources of flooding – including fluvial, coastal, surface, groundwater and infrastructure-related flooding.
+ Economic, environmental and social impacts – with flood damage and management costs estimated at £2.2 billion annually.
+ Climate trends – UK properties at high flood risk could double by 2050 without adaptation.
+ Planning, design and construction standards – including BS 85500:2025, and the wider adoption of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
+ Property Flood Resilience (PFR) – practical measures for both resistance and recoverability in residential, commercial and rural contexts.
+ Professional implications – covering valuation, insurance, mortgage lending, estate management and occupier guidance.
The paper highlights how flooding intersects with key areas of professional responsibility. Surveyors may be involved in:
+ Providing flood risk assessments and resilience advice for clients and lenders.
+ Advising on drainage and flood adaptation in design and construction projects.
+ Assessing flood risk implications in valuation and due diligence.
+ Supporting clients in flood recovery, insurance and reinstatement.
+ Promoting collaboration across the surveying, engineering, planning and insurance professions.
Fiona Mannix, RICS Senior Specialist (Land & Development), said: “Flooding affects every part of the property lifecycle, and surveyors are uniquely placed to interpret its implications for value, safety, design and long-term resilience. This paper equips members with a broad understanding of the issues and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration to meet this growing professional challenge.”
