Government to pilot new Flood Performance Certificates for properties
UKPulse Property Desk
The government has announced plans to pilot new Flood Performance Certificates to help assess and reduce flood risks for properties. An insurance firm has welcomed the move but is urging for the Flood Re scheme to be extended to the private rented sector.
- The government plans to pilot new Flood Performance Certificates, similar to EPCs, to outline a property's flood risk, characteristics, and resistance measures.
- Floods Minister Emma Hardy stated the certificates aim to provide homeowners with clear information on flood risk and reduction steps.
- The Home Insurer is advocating for the Flood Re scheme, currently excluding privately rented properties, to be extended to landlords.
The government has announced plans to pilot new certificates designed to help reduce flood risks. These new Flood Performance Certificates will be similar to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and will detail a property’s flood exposure, characteristics, and resistance measures.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy stated that these certificates will assist homeowners in understanding their flood risks. She added that the initiative aims to provide people with access to clear, trusted information about their home's flood risk, enabling them to take steps towards greater resilience.
The Home Insurer has welcomed the government's move but argues that improving flood resilience is only part of the solution. The firm is urging the government to extend the Flood Re scheme to the private rented sector, highlighting the need for greater protection for landlords and tenants against the financial and personal impact of flooding. Currently, privately rented properties are excluded from Flood Re, a government-backed scheme intended to make flood insurance more affordable for high-risk homes.
Jason McClean, director of The Home Insurer, told Property118 that while Flood Performance Certificates are a good idea for encouraging resilience, flood defences have not significantly reduced costs or flood exclusions in his experience. He believes that extending Flood Re to landlords should be a priority for the government to make a faster and more meaningful difference for landlords and tenants.
Why this matters: The introduction of Flood Performance Certificates could provide homeowners with clearer information about flood risks, potentially influencing property decisions and resilience measures. The debate over extending the Flood Re scheme to the private rented sector highlights concerns about insurance affordability and protection for landlords and tenants in flood-prone areas.
What this means for you: If you are a homeowner, these new certificates could provide you with detailed information about your property's flood risk and potential resistance measures. If you are a landlord or tenant in the private rented sector, the ongoing discussion about extending the Flood Re scheme could affect the affordability and availability of flood insurance for your property.