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Subsidence Warning After Long Hot Summer
Following the long, hot, dry summer (one of the hottest on record) the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has warned homeowners that the number of properties that suffer from subsidence could dramatically increase over the winter. How can you tell if your property is affected?
Subsidence occurs when the soil beneath a building becomes excessively dry. This reduces the load-bearing capacity of the ground and can result in the building shifting as the ground settles. With historically low levels of rainfall in 2006 leaving soil very dry, the number of properties suffering from subsidence is likely to increase this year. Some areas of the country are more prone to subsidence (the South generally) and many Edwardian and Victorian houses are more at risk because they have shallower foundations than those built from the 1950s. The signs are fairly easy to spot. Concerned homeowners should check for any new or expanding cracks in walls, internal and external. Doors or windows which suddenly start getting stuck can also indicate shifting walls and foundations. It’s worth noting that trees and plants close to foundations can also be a contributing factor as they will also soak up moisture from the soil. Indeed, ensuring trees are kept pruned can help minimise subsidence risk, as can regular cleaning of gutters and drains. BIBA offers the following facts on subsidence: The UK is one of the only countries in the world that insures private homes for the risk of subsidence, heave and landslip. If making a claim, you normally have to pay the first £1,000 excess of your policy (some policies may have £2,500), and most damage should be covered, including alternative accommodation. Some insurers may insist upon an excess of up to three per cent of the sum insured on buildings (usually applied where there is existing damage or previous subsidence claims history). As with all insurance policies making claims usually increases the premium at renewal, so you may lose some no claims bonus and find many insurers do not want to quote for a previously affected property. If you want to buy a house that has suffered from subsidence, make sure you have a full structural survey before you buy the property, find out when, why and how it was fixed and speak to your lender and broker before you buy the property.
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