Attention landlords: here’s a guide to preventing flooding in your property – or dealing with the consequences of it

You will have seen the devastating effect flooding has had on thousands of homes across the UK, most notably in York, Leeds, and Manchester over the last few weeks. You may even have been directly impacted. Climate change is rapidly showing the extensive physical, emotional, and financial damage it can cause, and landlords need to be aware of how to prevent or limit damage to property in future, as well as how to deal with the consequences of a property that has already been flooded.

How to prevent or limit flooding to your property

Naturally, the chances of flooding are higher the closer your property is to a source of water (e.g. rivers, reservoirs, the sea) and during periods of heavy rain or snow. You can check whether your property is within a flood risk area here.

As a landlord, it’s prudent to take steps to flood proof your property as best you can. Here are some of the less expensive actions that could help:

• fit water resistant plastic skirting boards or varnish wooden ones as a cheaper alternative
• fit air brick covers (but remove them after flooding has passed)
• fit non-return valves on drains and pipes
• raise shelves and household appliances and electricals

If you have a bit more money to spend, you can:

• seal floors with a damp-proof membrane and use ceramic tiles
• dry line walls
• raise the threshold of doors above flood level
• move electrical sockets higher up the walls
• fit a water extractor pump
• fit a water extractor pump
• seal exterior walls
• fit flood-resistant doors and windows
• use water-resistant air bricks

Taking these kinds of permanent precautions may also help you negotiate a discount on insurance premiums.

The property should be stocked in advance with sandbags (you should be able to get these from your local council) and sealable bags for valuables – but make sure your tenants know where they can find them. Tenants should also have a plan in case of flooding and know how to switch off the gas, electricity, and water supplies.

The value of insurance

Damage caused by flooding can cost an eye-watering amount of money to fix. It’s crucial that your building and contents insurance cover you properly. Make sure you know whether your policy replaces new items for old ones and whether there is a limit to repairs. You should also be careful not to underestimate the true value of the contents in your property.

A new scheme, Flood Re, has been agreed between the government and the insurance industry which allows residential homeowners in high flood risk areas to shop around for insurance, with the additional risk involved passed to Flood Re, an industry body sponsored by the government. Unfortunately, though, landlords are not covered by this scheme.

Dealing with the consequences of flooding

If your property has flooded, contact your insurer immediately and get them to confirm what action they are going to take, whether they will perform a clean-up operation, and how long it will be before a loss adjuster visits. Keep a record of every piece of correspondence. You should also take photos or videos of the damage and keep receipts for anything you spend in relation to the flooding.

LegalforLandlords will make sure that, as a landlord, you have sufficient buildings and contents insurance to cover you for flooding damage. Call one of our advisors on 0333 577 9050 today to find out your options on protecting yourself – and your property – from any future risk.