Halifax issues subsistence warning

1st July, 2005

Despite recent torrential rain and floods, Halifax has released a house subsistence warning.

As the Met Office forecasts sizzling temperatures for the coming months, Halifax experts anticipate subsistence claims will rise to around £390 million.

Records show that between the months of November 2004 to March 2005, UK rainfall was the lightest since the same period in 1975 to 1976. This year alone, May and June have witnessed some of the hottest days ever recorded.

"After such a dry winter people whose houses are built on clay soil look set to be the most vulnerable this summer," said Neil Curling, subsidence manager at Halifax General Insurance.

He urged homeowners to check that their buildings insurance would cover them against subsistence damage, adding: "As the summer continues to be dry the water reserves will be used rapidly and other factors such as trees searching for water with extended root systems will start to escalate the problem."

Halifax advises people to check their drains regularly for blockages, and doesn't recommend planting trees or shrubs too near to the house.

 

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