Flood certificates unveiled as insurer urges Flood Re scheme extension to landlords

The government has announced plans to pilot new certificates to help cut flood risks, but one insurance firm says expanding the Flood Re scheme to the landlords is key to making a real difference.

Similar to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), the new Flood Performance certificates will outline a property’s flood risk, including its exposure, characteristics and resistance measures.

The Home Insurer has welcomed the move but says improving flood resilience is only part of the solution, calling for Flood Re to be extended to the private rented sector.

Extend Flood Re Scheme

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said the certificates will help homeowners understand flooding risks.

She said: “Flooding is devastating for families and communities, and we need all households to know about their own flood risk and what can be done to reduce it.

“With our new Flood Performance Certificates, we are starting to give people the opportunity to access clear, trusted information in one place about the flood risk their home faces, so they can take steps to become even more resilient.”

However, The Home Insurer is urging the government to extend Flood Re to the private rented sector, warning that landlords and tenants need greater protection against the financial and personal impact of flooding.

Flood Re is a government-backed scheme designed to make flood insurance more affordable for high-risk homes, but privately rented properties are currently excluded.

Flood defences do not reduce costs

Jason McClean, director of The Home Insurer, told Property118: “Flood Performance Certificates are not a bad idea and will encourage resilience to be built into at-risk properties. That may help all owners obtain insurance, whether owner or landlord, as insurers can determine whether the risk is higher or lower depending on the measures in place.

“Saying that, in my experience, flood defences do not seem to reduce costs or flood exclusions a great deal, although that may change with this initiative, but it will take time. What flood defences do is give the owner individual assurance that their property is better protected. That is valuable.

“But if the government really wants to help landlords and tenants, bearing in mind it is tenants that end up living in the property during the flood itself and suffering the aftermath, then landlord access to Flood Re should be a priority and would make a much faster and more meaningful difference in my opinion.”

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