North Carolina Deserves Better Flood Disclosure Policies

Right now, North Carolina has one of the country’s weakest flood disclosure policies. A house that has flooded before is most likely to get hit again, so unsuspecting homebuyers could incur tens of thousands of dollars in unanticipated flood damages.

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (REC) needs to require that sellers disclose past flood damages to potential homebuyers.

With climate change accelerating the extreme weather events that can result in flooding, we have no time to waste. It is vital for communities across the state that the North Carolina REC act quickly to change their flood disclosure policies.

Urge the North Carolina Real Estate Commission to require full flood disclosure information be provided to homebuyers by the seller!

Right now, North Carolina has one of the weakest flood disclosure policies in the country. A house that has flooded before is most likely to get hit again. Unsuspecting homebuyers could incur tens of thousands of dollars in unanticipated flood damages if this policy isn’t changed.

On behalf of NRDC and other state partners, the Southern Environmental Law Center submitted a petition for rulemaking to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (REC) to require that sellers disclose past flood damages to potential buyers.

The state does not currently require sellers to inform homebuyers about a property’s flood history, which denies homebuyers the right to make an informed decision about buying a home. Other coastal states that face similar exposure to floods and hurricanes, like Louisiana and Texas, already ensure that homebuyers are given complete information about a home’s flood history before purchase.

CTA

Your Message

Subject North Carolina Real Estate Commission

Dear Real Estate Commissioners:

Message Body

I’m writing to you today because I’m very concerned about the insufficient amount of information that property sellers must disclose about flooding. Right now, North Carolina has one of the weakest flood disclosure policies in the country.

A house that has flooded before is more likely to get hit again. Unsuspecting homebuyers could incur tens of thousands of dollars in unanticipated flood damages if the state does not require that sellers disclose information about past flooding and flood insurance coverage.

As a North Carolina resident, I’m asking that the Commission grant the petition submitted on behalf of the NRDC and other state partners by the Southern Environmental Law Center. The Commission must require that sellers disclose all past flood damages to potential buyers.

Providing this information to buyers would allow them to make informed decisions about the home they choose to purchase, whether they should purchase flood insurance, and investments they may want to make in order to address the risk of flooding.

Currently, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission’s policies fall short of best practices for flood hazard disclosure. The state does not require sellers to share the information necessary for buyers to know a property’s flood history; including actual damages, costs of flood insurance, or whether previous owners ever received federal disaster assistance.

Other coastal states that face similar exposure to floods and hurricanes, like Louisiana and Texas, already ensure that homebuyers are given complete information about a home’s flood history before purchase.

With hurricane season just months away, it is vital that you act quickly to change the flood disclosure policies. Please help ensure that homebuyers have information about past flooding and flood risks before they make a decision to purchase a home.

Thank you.

Your Information

Salutation *

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Phone

Get Text Message Alerts

By entering my mobile number and checking this box, I agree to receive urgent NRDC Alerts. Message frequency varies. Text HELP to 61636 for help; text STOP to 61636 to end. Msg& data rates may apply. I understand that I’m not required to opt-in as condition for taking action or donating. By leaving this box unchecked, I will not be opted-in to SMS messages at this time. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

When you take action, you'll become an NRDC member. We will keep you informed with the latest action alerts and campaign updates.