GUIDE

How to minimise
the risk of
subsidence

Protecting the things

that matter most
How to minimise the risk
of subsidence
Subsidence is a form of ground movement that can cause quite serious and costly damage
to properties. It will not only potentially impact your property’s structural safety but also its
resale value.

Around 5% of claims reported to the Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance claims team
in the last 3 years have been as a result of subsidence, with the highest ever claim costing an
enormous £112,255.

Although subsidence only affects the minority of properties, as a landlord, it is important that
you’re prepared by taking any preventative measures and knowing what to look out for.

What is subsidence?
Subsidence is caused when the earth beneath a building moves downwards, resulting in
instability and less support underneath part or all of the foundations of a property, causing it
to sink.

What contributes to subsidence?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to subsidence but not all properties are at
equal risk. Contributory factors can include:

• Shrinkage of clay soils in warm weather - clay soils are more commonly found in the
South and East of Britain. Clay soil can shrink and move during hot and dry weather,
especially with the lack of rainfall over recent years, making the ground unstable.

• Trees growing close to the property - vegetation near the building can cause movement
by growing under foundations and can draw water from the soil through their root systems.
Some species of trees and shrubs can draw a lot more water which can dry the soil out
further. For example a mature oak tree can draw up to 1,000 litres per day.

• Leaking drains - defective drains can cause erosion or washing away of soil. They can
also soften the ground which could cause soil to compact under the weight of your rental
property.

• Soil erosion - soil can naturally decompose due to oxidisation and can lead to a reduction
in its volume.

Whether you have a single property or an entire portfolio,

 What warning signs
should you look out for?
The most obvious sign of
subsidence are cracks. The majority
of cracks result from settlement,
when a building moves under its
own weight in its first few years
which is mostly nothing to be
concerned about.

However, you need to look for

diagonal cracks that increase in
width the further away they are from ground level. Cracking associated with subsidence is
usually visible both internally and externally and is normally at least 3mm wide and can be as
thick as a 10p coin. The cracks will appear in brickwork and plasterwork around doors and
windows or between different parts of the property such as near an extension.

Other signs of subsidence can include wrinkled wallpaper at the wall and ceiling joins and
doors and windows sticking as the frames become misshapen.

5 tips to prevent subsidence

To cut down the risks of subsidence you can;

1. Avoid planting trees or shrubs too close your property or outbuildings. We recommend
that any new trees or shrubs are planted a minimum of the same distance away from your
property as their expected mature height (be aware of neighbouring properties too).

2. If a mature tree is already positioned too close to your property, seek advice from a
surveyor or tree expert about how best to manage it and whether it should be removed.

3. Regularly prune trees and shrubs to help reduce how much water is absorbed.

4. Carry out regular maintenance of drains and pipes. You should check for blocked or leaking
drains, clear the gutters of leaves and dirt regularly and check pipes to ensure there are no
damaging splits.

5. Look for signs of subsidence when carrying out regular inspections of your rental
property.

In the event that you discover subsidence at your rental property call our
claims team on 0345 310 6370 as soon as possible to report the claim.

, we provide comprehensive cover at a competitive price

 For more resources and advice, please go to our website
www.totallandlordinsurance.co.uk

Total Landlord Insurance Telephone: 0800 63 43 880

1st Floor, Premiere House Email: quotes@totallandlordinsurance.co.uk
Elstree Way, Borehamwood www.totallandlordinsurance.co.uk
WD6 1JH

Total Landlord Insurance is a trading name of HFIS plc. HFIS plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.