After Batumi's record September storm: how to check a flat for flood risk before you buy

We covered the storm itself in our report of 30 September. The HomeRadar guide goes further: it explains which flood maps exist and what records to ask for.

Three things buyers should know

1. A sea view does not reveal a wet basement. Flood exposure often comes through shared parts of a building: garage ramps, drains, pumps, roofs and terraces. A high floor does not remove it.

2. Maps help, but only up to a point. The National Environmental Agency maps flood zones for 5- to 100-year events, and the Asian Development Bank and World Bank have city and regional hazard maps. None of them says whether a particular building flooded.

3. Building records are not public. The guide recommends asking the seller, manager or developer for drainage drawings, pump maintenance logs, photos after the storm, waterproofing warranties and repair records. For off-plan projects, ask for stormwater designs and the garage ramp's height relative to the street.

What to do

Visit the building during or just after rain, check where water runs in the yard and who clears the drains, and put any known defects and who pays for them in writing before paying a deposit.

Read the Batumi flood-risk guide on HomeRadar →

Witness and media reports of flooding in particular streets are not proof that a given building was affected. HomeRadar.ge is a property research project affiliated with EstateScope.