At what time of year are landlords’ properties most at risk?
As a Landlord Insurance provider, Gallagher has the following tips on what to look out for in each season to help protect your property.
Properties can face different risks at different times of the year. Cold winters could put your property more at risk of damage from storms or burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures. While the summer months could be more of a security risk as properties are left empty by students going home for the summer or other tenants going on holiday.
Understanding the different risks and when they may be most likely to occur can help you prepare, allowing you to minimise these risks and the potential costs incurred by them. At the same time, having suitable landlord insurance could help keep you covered against costly incidents.
Be aware that general maintenance of the property is important and may also be part of the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
Property risks to look out for in summer
If you let a student property, then there’s a chance that it will be empty for some or even all of the academic summer holidays. Similarly for traditional lets, tenants may go away on holiday for a week or two during the summer. If this leaves your property empty it could lead to potential risks.
Your landlord insurance policy may have specific terms for when the property is empty, so again, it’s important to check the terms and conditions, as policies can vary.
Firstly, an empty property could be a security risk with no one to deter thieves or vandals. Signs of an empty property – such as no car in the driveway, no one coming and going, and lights always turned off – can attract unwanted attention and make your home more likely to be targeted. This could lead to property damage as well as having valuable belongings stolen.
Other risks can come from a property being unchecked and unmaintained for long periods of time, and not being suitably ventilated during the summer weather, which could make damp and mould more likely to occur.
Hot, dry weather can cause natural materials like wood floors and doors to shrink, while warm, humid weather can cause them to expand. This can lead to damage or gaps in doorways or roof structures due to the shrinking wood. Roof tiles or shingles could also be at risk of cracking or other forms of damage due to the weather. And, since British summers can be unpredictable, leaks and flooding caused by heavy rain could even be a potential risk.
To help protect your property while it is empty, it can help to visit it periodically to visually inspect the property and help maintain the appearance of it being occupied. Landlord insurance policies can cover unoccupied properties for a certain length of time, so be sure to check your policy details. There may be requirements for the regularity of property visits, as well as other terms and conditions.
Property risks to look out for in autumn
In autumn, one of the main risks to consider comes from fallen leaves. Particularly if there are tall trees around your property, their leaves can gather in places such as gutters, drains, and drainpipes. Not only could this lead to blockages that can impede the flow of water in your drainage system, but it could also cause structural damage to the pipes, drains, and gutters.
Leaves that fall onto the ground around your property could also pose a risk to your tenants or anyone visiting the property. While the crunch of dry autumn leaves on the ground may be satisfying, combined with wet weather they can cause people to slip and fall.
To help reduce the impact caused by leaves and twigs falling from nearby trees, it can be advisable to trim back any tall trees that stand on your property at the start of autumn or end of summer. Throughout autumn, you may need to clear the gutters of leaves and debris periodically, as well as sweeping leaves from the ground around your property.
Property risks to look out for in winter
Winter comes with the risk of cold temperatures and extreme weather, which could lead to costly damage to your rental property. Storms, strong winds, snow, hail, and heavy rain are all potential dangers that can be more likely to occur in winter.
These weather conditions can cause costly damage to a property. For example, Checkatrade has provided price estimates for repairs to weather-related damage in 2024. These estimates include:
These costs can all add up, but having suitable landlord insurance can help. Check your current policy to see what your policy covers.
Another risk to consider is frozen pipes. If the water inside pipes freezes due to them not being insulated properly, the water expands, which can cause the pipe to burst, leading to leaks and potentially flooding. A leaking pipe can cost an average of £330 to repair. However, if a leak or a burst pipe leads to more extensive flooding inside your property, then the result could be a lot costlier - £2,000 on average for water removal, plus anywhere between £500 and £5,000 to repair the effects of water damage, depending on the severity and what is affected.
You can help prevent pipes from freezing by making sure that the pipes and any water tanks are properly insulated, which can be done using materials such as pipe lagging and tank jackets. Also, check if your property’s boiler or thermostat has a frost setting. This kicks in if the temperatures inside the property drop below a certain level, switching on the heating to help prevent freezing. This could be especially important if the property is left empty at all over winter. Be sure to check your insurance policy wording for any terms and conditions relating to keeping the property heated in the winter months.
Property risks to look out for in spring
In spring, it can be a good idea to inspect your property for any damage caused during winter that may have gone unnoticed. A visual inspection of the roof can identify any damaged or loose roof tiles that could lead to leaks and loss of heat. And while you’re up there you may be able to see if any guttering has become loose or has started to clog with debris. Roof inspections may also be part of your insurance policy wording.
You could also inspect the weatherstripping around doors and windows and check indoors for any signs of issues such as damp, mould, pests, and leaks. It can be a good idea to get any issues like these fixed now before they become worse.
While the weather in spring should be milder than winter, there can still be some weather risks, with April showers potentially leading to leaks and water damage. This is another reason it can be important to check for damage to roofing, guttering, and weatherstripping.
You may also need to turn your attention to the garden and other outdoor spaces in spring. As many plants and trees start to recover from winter, there can be a risk of gardens becoming overgrown by the end of the season if they are not maintained. Overgrown gardens can create problems such as pests and damage to surrounding structures, such as fences and sheds.
Make sure your tenancy agreement outlines whose responsibility the garden is – yours or your tenants’ – and either address any issues yourself or make sure your tenants are aware of the importance of maintaining the garden and the risks that could come from an overgrown garden.
Year-round protection for rental properties
Your rental property could face risks throughout the year, with each season bringing their own challenges. All-year-round protection can be vital, which is why Gallagher offers 12-month policies and renewal reminders to help ensure you always have suitable cover in place.
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The sole purpose of this article is to provide information on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited and National Residential Landlords Association, an Introducer Appointed Representative of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.
National Residential Landlords Association is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.
