As flooding events become more frequent across the UK, Ryan Lockwood, National Sales & Marketing Manager at Fernco, explores why flood resilience must be seen as an essential part of property security, much like burglary prevention, and why housing providers and landlords can no longer afford to overlook it.
With a rapidly changing climate making extreme weather events increasingly common, flooding has become a year-round concern here in the UK. Many wouldn’t dream of leaving their homes unprotected against burglary; so why then do we leave them vulnerable when it comes to flooding?
According to the National Flood Forum, 6.3 million UK properties are at risk of flooding. But still, even after many tragic events – such as lost homes and belongings, and high remuneration costs of over £31 million between 2020 and 2024 – Property Flood Resilience (PFR) remains one of the most overlooked aspects of property protection, even in high-risk flood areas.
As climate change accelerates and sea levels rise, we must look at property protection in a more holistic way; PFR must now sit alongside fire safety and burglary prevention as a critical area of housing management – and landlords, housing associations and local authorities should take note. It’s not just about protecting buildings; it’s about safeguarding tenants’ health, reducing long-term repair costs, and ensuring homes remain insurable and habitable in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
The Price of Being Unprepared
PFR covers a broad range of simple, cost-effective measures deployed to protect individual homes and businesses from flood damage. These products – such as non-return valves, backwater valves, anti-flood air bricks and covers, and floodbags – can reduce post-flood repair costs by up to 70% compared to a home without PFR installed, as reported by the Environment Agency (EA).
Despite this, many housing providers still treat PFR as an optional measure rather than a critical investment. The EA also reported that one in four properties will be at risk of flooding by 2050. Implementing protective measures now rather than later is more valuable than ever, as effective PFR can be the difference between occupants being able to remain in the home after a flood or having to move out for many months while extensive repairs, funded by the homeowner, take place.
Property owners are being urged to take proactive steps in making their properties, tenants and businesses safe from flooding – just as they would do against fire or burglary – by preparing with innovative solutions that can be quickly installed or deployed with ease when flooding occurs.
PFR in Practice
Fortunately, when it comes to protecting property from flood damage, it doesn’t have to come at a major cost, nor need it be a time-consuming hinderance. Installing basic PFR measures involves a relatively small expense when compared to potential costs of flooding. According to the Environment Agency, the average cost of a flooded home can range from £30,000 to £40,000, with the consideration of damage repairs, cleanup and temporary accommodation, making PFR a worthwhile investment.
PFR is becoming more widely accessible; builders’ merchants are now commonly stocking such products and property owners can install these measures independently, without the need to employ professionals. These include products such as anti-flood air bricks, which maximise airflow but keep floodwater out, and air brick covers, which creates a watertight seal for low-level air bricks.
Installed directly into pre-existing manholes, non-return and backwater valves prevent backflow flooding inside properties through toilets, plug holes and waste pipes. Other products such as flood doors and barriers are designed to seal off entry points during heavy rainfall or rising waters, offering peace of mind and that much-needed practical protection.
Similarly, sandbags, which have long been a staple in flood prevention are a popular option, but new and improved solutions have since entered the market which deliver much-improved performance. Floodbags are absorbent bags filled with super absorbent polymer (SAP) that swell upon contact with water. More effective, lighter weight and easier to store, they are a user-friendly alternative to traditional sandbags and their practicality and cost-effectiveness make them a valuable addition for flood preparedness.
The Role of Housing Providers and Landlords
For housing associations, local authorities and private landlords, PFR isn’t just about safeguarding properties; it’s about providing protection for your occupants. Legal obligations may not mandate specific flood resilience measures yet, but they have a responsibility for property maintenance, including keeping the drainage, guttering and the foundations, in good working order – as is required of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
Without resilience measures, flooding can leave tenants displaced and cause significant financial loss for housing providers. And with ongoing and unquestioned investment in smoke alarms, fire safety and security systems, it’s clear that PFR deserves a place on that same priority list.
Encouragingly, a joint initiative between the government and insurers aims to promote the importance of PFR with the Flood Re insurance scheme – making flood cover more widely available and affordable as part of home insurance. For example, ‘Discounted Premiums’ is one initiative which bolsters the importance of PFR, offering lower insurance costs for homes with certified PFR measures in place.
Climate change isn’t going anywhere, and flooding is set to intensify. PFR must be recognised as an essential part of property security – a proactive asset rather than a last-minute fix.