Real Estate

Key mitigation tips for landlords on how to best protect properties from flooding

05 March 2025

A study undertaken by the Environment Agency in 2024 found that 6 million homes in England were at risk of flooding. With the potential for this number to rise to 8 million by 2050*, property owners can expect to face increased repair costs and a decline in the value of their portfolios if they do not take adequate protective measures.

In this article, we discuss the different types of flood risk, the impact of damage to tenants/landlords and outline key defensive strategies property owners can implement to safeguard their assets.

Types of flooding

Property owners must understand the specific flood risks their buildings are vulnerable to. This helps determine the strategies that can be put in place to protect their assets. Below are the key types of flooding to be aware of.

Fluvial: rivers overflowing its banks due to excessive rainfall or snowmelt.
Pluvial: heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems which prevents water from being absorbed by the ground.
Coastal: takes place when dry, low-lying coastal areas are inundated by seawater.
Groundwater: occurs when the water table (the level of groundwater beneath the earth's surface) rises above the ground level, causing water to emerge.

The impact of damage on tenants and property owners

Regardless of the underlying cause, flooding can have devastating consequences for tenants and property owners. Beyond the immediate threat to personal safety, tenants face the logistical and financial challenges of finding temporary housing and replacing damaged or destroyed personal belongings.

The impact on property owners is often more long-term. Issues such as waterlogged floors, ruined walls and destroyed units are just the start of repairs needed. Bigger problems such as compromised foundations, damaged electrics, and plumbing issues require dedicated repair work, which is both costly and time-consuming. With the disruption to rental income and the damage to credibility, landlords may find it difficult to attract tenants to other properties in their portfolio.

What key defensive strategies can property owners implement?

Whilst the risk of flooding can never be completely eradicated, there are several mitigation strategies property owners can implement to limit the impact on their buildings. These are outlined below.

Property-level protection (PLP)
- Install barriers such as floodgates and sandbags to prevent water from entering the property
- Use covers to seal airbricks and prevent water ingress
- Install valves on drains and pipes to stop water from backing up into the property
Landscaping and drainage
- Use permeable materials for driveways and patios to allow water to soak into the ground
- Create rain gardens to absorb and manage rainwater runoff
- Implement swales and ditches to direct water away from the property
Building modifications
- Elevate electrical sockets, wiring, and appliances above potential flood levels
- Use water-resistant materials for walls, floors, and furnishings
- Install sump pumps to remove water that enters basements or crawl spaces
Community and government initiatives
- Sign up for local flood warning services to receive timely alerts
- Participate in community flood planning and response initiatives
- Explore available government grants and funding for flood defence measures

Sources

*The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/17/more-than-6m-homes-at-risk-of-flooding-in-england-says-environment-agency

Miller is here to help

In addition to mitigation methods, property owners need to have the right insurance in place to protect them from significant loss should the worst happen.

Miller offers comprehensive risk and insurance solutions for property owners looking to safeguard their investments. We work closely with you to understand your unique requirements and use our market relationships to find and source the right coverage in turn.

Get in touch to find out more.