This summer has seen significant pressure on water resources across England, with drought conditions and hosepipe bans continuing despite some recent periods of rainfall. A hot and exceptionally dry summer might seem like good news but when prolonged dry conditions are followed by intense rainfall, storms or localised flooding, the risks to property can change very quickly.
Changing weather patterns present more than just a maintenance issue
Extreme weather can cause significant damage to buildings, disrupt tenants, create additional costs and potentially leave gaps in insurance arrangements if properties and risks are not regularly reviewed and maintained.
After an extended period of hot dry weather, the ground can become hard and less able to absorb rainfall quickly. When a significant amount of rain then arrives in a short period, water can run across the surface rather than soaking into the ground. For landlords this can increase the potential for surface water to reach properties that may not traditionally have been considered at risk of flooding. The fact that a property has never flooded before does not necessarily mean it won’t in the future!
Practical Checklist
Extreme weather can expose weaknesses that may otherwise go unnoticed. Regular property inspections and preventative maintenance are therefore increasingly important.
It is wise to:
- Check roofs, gutters, downpipes and drainage systems regularly, particularly before periods of heavy rainfall. Blocked gutters or damaged roofs can allow water to enter the property, potentially causing damage to ceilings, walls, insulation and internal finishes.
- Consider how water moves around the property. Pay particular attention to areas where water could collect or flow towards entrances, basements or lower ground floor accommodation.
- Extreme weather can put additional pressure on windows, doors and seals. Check for deterioration, damaged seals and potential points where water could enter the property during heavy rainfall or storms.
- Prolonged dry weather can also increase the risk of ground movement in certain areas, particularly where properties are built on shrinkable clay soils. As the ground dries, clay soils can shrink, potentially causing movement beneath foundations.
Landlords and property owners should look for signs such as:
- New or widening cracks in walls
- Doors or windows becoming difficult to open or close
- Cracks appearing around window and door frames
- Uneven floors
- Changes to external brickwork
These signs do not necessarily mean a property has subsidence issues but they should not be ignored. Early investigation can help identify the cause and potentially prevent a much larger problem developing.
It is also worth keeping records of maintenance and inspections. Should a claim arise, being able to demonstrate that the property has been properly maintained can be useful.
What happens if your tenant is affected?
If a property becomes uninhabitable following flooding, storm damage or another insured event, there can be significant consequences for both the landlord and tenant.
You should consider:
- Where will the tenant stay?
- How quickly can repairs be completed?
- What happens to rental income while the property cannot be occupied?
- Who is responsible for damaged fixtures, fittings or contents?
- Are there additional costs associated with drying, cleaning and restoring the property?
“The summer 2026 was the UK’s hottest on record, according to provisional data from the Met Office. Landlords need to think beyond the traditional seasonal risks – taking time to understand those risks and review your existing insurance could help prevent a difficult situation becoming a much bigger problem.” – Sarah Richards, Managing Director, Alexander Swan
Insurance Checklist
It is worth double-checking whether your existing insurance policy adequately reflects:
- The current rebuild cost of the property
- Loss of rental income cover
- Alternative accommodation cover where appropriate
- Property owners’ liability
- Storm and flood exposure
- Subsidence and ground movement
- Escape of water
- Landlord’s contents and fixtures and fittings
- Unoccupied periods and the conditions attached to your policy
One of the biggest risks for landlords is assuming that because a property has historically been low risk, it will remain that way. The UK’s weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable and that means landlords need to think beyond the traditional seasonal risks. Taking time to understand those risks and review your existing insurance could help prevent a difficult situation becoming a much bigger problem.
As a specialist independent insurance broker, Alexander Swan works with landlords to understand the risks associated with their properties and help ensure their insurance arrangements remain appropriate. If you haven’t reviewed your property insurance recently, contact us today for a no obligation quotation.