Landlord insurance provider Simply Business claims that new research shows subsidence claims doubling last year and hitting their peak in August and September. 

Drawing on data from its insurance policies with over 400,000 landlords it explains that subsidence occurs when the ground sinks around the foundations of a house – and it can happen when the ground becomes especially dry and shrinks. 

It is advising landlords to look out for cracks that are more than 3mm wide in the walls, ceilings, outside brickwork, and under windows. It also recommends checking for plaster cracking or wallpaper crinkling in a diagonal movement or where it meets the ceiling; and also windows or external doors sticking because of warped frames and not closing easily. 

Alan Thomas, UK chief executive at Simply Business, says: “With temperatures already soaring to 30 degrees in some parts of the UK this month, landlords need to prepare themselves for the side-effects this could have on their properties. 

“Subsidence occurs when the ground sinks around the foundations of a house – and it can happen when the ground becomes dry and shrinks. So inevitably as the weather gets warmer, and there is less rainfall, the causes of subsidence become more common. 

“Subsidence can have a substantial monetary cost and depreciate the value of a property quickly. It’s important to monitor and deal with it early.”

Data (cases of reported subsidence in rental properties)