28 states require home sellers to disclose flood information

For the first time, more than half of U.S. states are requiring property sellers to inform potential buyers about the flood history and risk of their homes and commercial buildings.

A new analysis from the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that 28 states have flood information disclosure requirements that it considers at least adequate. This is an increase of eight states since 2018, when NRDC conducted its first analysis of flood information disclosure requirements.

The trend comes at a time when climate change is causing more flood damage and research shows a growing danger of failing to inform buyers and renters about a property’s flood risk.

A December analysis by Fannie Mae found that most people living in flood-prone areas are unaware of their risk and lack insurance to cover flood damage.