You might love the cosy colder months – but as a landlord, you probably know they’re not always so kind to your rental properties!
Whether it’s a frozen pipe or damage caused by strong winds, you might need to make an insurance claim this winter.
To keep you in the know, we’ve put together a list of common landlord insurance claims and how to try and avoid them.
Which issues are mostly commonly claimed on by landlords in winter?
There are a lot of different issues you and your rental properties could run into this winter. Here are some common ones.
Storm damage
Storm damage is one of the top landlord insurance claims we see in winter.
This could be for something like gale-force winds blowing off roof tiles.
Whatever it is, storm damage can be a serious problem – and you’ll want to get it sorted ASAP.
Flooding
Wetter winters and more intense storms are becoming the norm in the UK. Unfortunately, that means more flooding.
If your rental property is unlucky enough to be in a storm’s path, or if it’s already in a high-risk area, you could be dealing with flood damage this winter.
You can check the long-term flood risk of an area on the GOV.UK website.
Leaks caused by frozen pipes
Cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and then sometimes crack or burst.
Once that happens, it could easily lead to a leak, so it’s not uncommon for landlords to claim on this issue during winter.
How to try and avoid claiming in winter
We’re here to help if you do need to claim on your landlord insurance – but we hope you never need to!
To keep your rental properties in tip top shape over winter and hopefully avoid some of those common claims, take a look at some of our advice below.
Limiting storm damage
There’s no sure-fire way to completely avoid storm damage, especially if there’s a particularly nasty one heading your way.
But there are some things you can do to get prepared or minimise the damage. It’s a good idea to:
- tell your tenants if a storm is forecast
- check your roof for any damage beforehand – such as cracked roof tiles or damaged flashing (the silver plating)
- ask your tenants to keep windows and doors closed
- strap down or take in garden furniture
Check out our guide on who’s responsible for storm damage to rental properties.
Preventing leaks and floods
To lower the chance of leaks during winter, consider:
- using thermal coverings for outdoor pipes – including those in lofts, sheds and other outbuildings
- asking your tenants to keep the heating on low (whenever they don’t need it on fully) to stop freezing
- fix any leaking taps
- insulate water tanks if you have one
To limit flood damage, think about preventative measures like sandbags when a bad storm or flood is forecast.
If your property’s in a flood zone, it doesn’t hurt to chat through flood preparation with your tenants, so they know what steps to take.
We’ve got a handy guide on flood prep if you want some tips on how to get ready.
Make sure you let us know if any of your rental properties will be empty for a long period of time. If you don’t, we might not be able to cover issues like leaks or flooding.
Learn more about this in our landlord unoccupied properties guide.
What should I tell my tenants to be aware of?
Make sure your tenants are keeping an eye on any damage or issues that crop up throughout the year.
Let them know it’s important to let you know straight away – it's best to get them sorted ASAP to stop any further damage.
If a storm’s on the way, let your tenants know or ask them to check the forecast regularly themselves.
Make sure you know what you and your tenants are responsible for.
It’s important to inspect your property every six months – take clear photos and keep records to prevent any minor problems becoming bigger ones.
Does my landlord insurance cover all winter damage?
This depends on who you’re insured with and what level of cover you have. But it’s rare for any landlord insurance policy to cover absolutely everything.
If you’re with us, make sure you check your policy documents in MyAccount or check the policy book to see what you’re covered for.
Want to learn more? Check out our common landlord insurance claims guide to see what’s often claimed on throughout the year.
