Subsidence claims to hit the roof

26th July, 2006

Trees and shrubs planted too close to properties are the cause of most cases of subsidence caused by lack of water during spells of hot weather. Seventy per cent of subsidence is caused by trees and shrubs as their roots search for moisture. The current heat wave is likely to lead to a dramatic increase in the number of homes affected by subsidence and in turn lead to a rise in buildings insurance premiums. The worst cases of subsidence can leave home owners with a bill of almost £50,000 as their properties require underpinning whilst the foundations are strengthened. Many home owners are then left with a house that is harder to sell even if the works have been carried out as buyers choose homes with a less problematic past.

Insurance companies where badly hit by the summer of 2003 when the UK experienced record high temperatures and home owners claimed around £400 million in subsidence claims. Most buildings insurance covers the cost but usually have an excess of £1000. Central and south eastern parts of England have high levels of clay in their soil and suffer badly as trees and shrubs suck up any moisture in the soil causing the soil to dry out and shrink resulting in property sinking into land that loses its load baring capacity.

 

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