How landlords can respond to extensive flooding of rental properties

With the severe flooding that has hit the UK in recent weeks many people have experienced damage to their homes as well as in some extreme cases having to evacuate, but what does this mean for landlords?

Severe weather events, like storms and flooding, are becoming increasingly frequent in the UK.

According to UK Health Agency, report, Health Effects of Climate Change (HECC) in the UK: 2023 approximately 6.1 million people in the UK currently live in flood prone areas, with additional at-risk areas identified due to sea-level rise, with this number  projected to increase 61% by 2050

and landlords must be prepared to protect their rental properties and tenants. Here are some practical steps to follow when a property floods:

Insurance Claims

Ensure you have adequate flood or home emergency insurance to cover damages. If your rental is in a high-risk area, consider reviewing policies to ensure comprehensive coverage against storm and flood damage.

Impress the importance on your tenants the need for them to get  their own contents insurance to cover the cost of loss or damage due to  flooding.

Preventative Measures

• Know the immediate flood risk to the property, is the property located by a river or canal, flood risk can change over time due to development of the local area which may reduce floods plains or overwhelm drainage systems that have not been updated to accommodate an increase in properties in the immediate area. Flood risk checks that may have been done when the property was purchased many years ago may well have changed now. You can check the flood risk HERE Check the long term flood risk for an area in England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• You can check for official flood warnings HERE Check for flooding in England – GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)
• Sign up for flood warnings for your rental properties and get the tenants to do the same HERE Sign up for flood warnings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Think about the layout of the property and how flooding could effect it, consider moving electrical sockets higher than the normal low level, construct a raised porch to keep water from entering the property, Install non-return valves for toilets and sewer pipes, to prevent water from backing up into the property.

 To minimise the risk of flooding

• Check and clear gutters regularly- This check can be done at the usual property inspection, it may also be prudent to book in an annual gutter clear to ensure these are in good working order
• Check drains are clear of leaves – this can be done at usual property inspection and tenants can be asked to keep these clear and the check drains regularly

If flood warning is issued

If a flood warning has been issued for the area or you are concerned that the predicted heavy rain may have a direct impact, ensure the tenants are for warned and for armed

• A flood or sever weather plan, this can include information about local authority emergency provisions, community contact centres or refuges, emergency contact numbers and access to free sandbags
• Keep sandbags either at the property in preparation or close by in case of flooding

Immediate Action Post-Flooding

If flooding has occurred, keep in regular contact with tenants, understand what their immediate risk is, Do they have children, pets is there anyone in the household that needs extra care or support.

Instruct tenants to shut off gas and electricity if needed to prevent further damage or danger. Make sure tenants know where fuse boxes and stopcocks are located.

Take photos of all damage and contact your insurance company immediately to start the claim process. Don’t begin repairs until the insurer has assessed the property.

Providing Alternative Housing

While landlords are not required to provide alternative accommodation, it is worth considering. Doing so fosters trust with tenants and might be covered by insurance policies, which often include accommodation expenses when a property is deemed uninhabitable.

In addition, local councils have a duty to house tenants temporarily if they are homeless due to flooding, but these resources may be stretch and accommodation options limited

Tenant Communication

Keep tenants updated throughout the entire process. This helps alleviate stress and ensures tenants understand what’s happening. Tenants should also be involved in preventing future damage, such as being informed of flood warnings or safety measures.

By taking proactive measures and staying engaged with tenants, landlords can mitigate the impact of storms and floods, protect their properties, and maintain tenant satisfaction during these challenging times.

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