Climate change impact property report

Severe weather can damage your property in various ways. Windy weather can dislodge roof tiles and crack windows. Freezing temperatures can result in frozen pipes, while excessive heat can cause cracks in ceilings and walls. In addition, if your property is at risk of flooding, obtaining a mortgage can be challenging. 

Buying a house in an area where there’s a high risk of weather damage may make it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage. That’s why it’s important to speak to a whole-of-market mortgage broker who can compare mortgages to find out which providers are more likely to lend on properties which are at greater risk of climate damage.

According to UK Climate Risk, new builds and flats are some of the worst-affected property types when it comes to weather damage. Newly built homes are prone to overheating, while flats on high floors can be warmer due to a lack of shade from trees. 

Therefore, our mortgage experts have analysed the temperature, wind speed, flooding risk, and the number of new builds and flats in each local authority. With this data, we’ll reveal the areas where properties are most vulnerable to weather damage.

The areas where your home is most at risk of climate damage in England

1. Canterbury | Climate risk score: 6.8/10

Homes in Canterbury are most at risk of being affected by weather extremes. Canterbury is one of the most vulnerable areas for flooding, with 9.91% of properties identified as at risk of greater than 1%. Properties in the city are also prone to overheating, with temperatures during the hottest month reaching 6% higher than the country’s average. Due to its proximity to the coast, wind speeds in Canterbury reach up to 28.1 kph on the windiest day of the year.

2. Folkestone and Hythe | Climate risk score: 6.6/10

Folkestone and Hythe, also located in Kent, comes in second place. Around 7.65% of properties in Folkestone and Hythe are at a greater than 1% risk of flooding. In some cases, this can make it more difficult to get affordable home insurance cover or a mortgage. Temperatures during the hottest month are around 5% hotter than England’s average, making homes vulnerable to overheating. What’s more, 25.8% of properties in the district are flats or maisonettes, which carry an increased risk of overheating. The Kent district is also windier than most areas in England, with wind speeds reaching 29.4 kph on the windiest day.

3. North Norfolk | Climate risk score: 6.5/10

Living in North Norfolk could mean your property is at an increased risk of damage from climate and weather extremes. Temperatures in North Norfolk reach around 6% higher than England’s average during the warmest month of the year. North Norfolk is also windier than most areas in England, with wind speeds reaching 28.1 kph on the year’s windiest day.

4. South Lakeland | Climate risk score: 6.5/10

South Lakeland comes in joint third place as one of the most at-risk areas for climate damage. In South Lakeland, 14.19% of properties are at risk of flooding greater than 1% - higher than most other areas in the country. South Lakeland is also around 29% colder than England’s average temperature during the coldest month of the year, putting properties at risk of cold damage.

The areas where your home is least at risk of climate damage in England

1. Cheshire West and Chester | Climate risk score: 1.4/10

Buying a house in Cheshire West and Chester may put your property at a reduced risk of climate damage than settling down in other parts of the country. Just 0.47% of properties are at a greater than 1% risk of flooding. Temperatures in the area are around 2% cooler than average during the hottest month, and 4% warmer than average during the coldest month, protecting properties from temperature extremes.

2. Halton | Climate risk score: 1.7/10

Halton, just north of Cheshire West and Chester, is one of the least at-risk areas in terms of weather damage to properties. Only 0.75% of properties in the area are identified as being at a risk of flooding greater than 1%. Temperatures in Halton are 6% cooler than average in the hottest month, meaning properties are at a reduced risk of overheating.

3. St. Helens | Climate risk score: 2/10

St. Helens ranks as one of the best places to live for those concerned about extreme weather damaging their home. Around 0.64% of properties are at a greater than 1% risk of flooding, and temperatures are 4% cooler than average during the warmest month.

The most at-risk areas for each climate concern

The area where your property is most at risk of flooding in England | South Holland: 52% of properties at >1% risk

South Holland, in Lincolnshire, is the area where your property is most at risk of flooding. Over half of the properties in the district, which covers Spalding, Crowland, Holbeach and Long Sutton, have a flood risk greater than 1%.Coastal flooding is often caused by storms, a high tide, heavy rain or the bursting of river banks.

The area where your property is most likely to overheat in England | Broxbourne: 24% warmer than average

Broxbourne is the hottest area in England, with temperatures reaching 24% higher than the country’s average during the warmest month. Homes in the Hertfordshire parish could experience worsening cracks, fading paint and a weakened roof as a result of excess heat. It’s a good idea to open windows, increase ventilation and regularly maintain worn surfaces or cracks in your home if you live in a hotter area.

The coldest area in England | High Peak: 42% colder than average

High Peak, in Derbyshire, is the coldest area in England. Temperatures in High Peak during the coldest month of the year are around 42% colder than the country’s average. Cold weather can often cause property damage in the form of frozen pipes and boiler breakdowns. Most home insurance policies cover damage from frozen pipes, however, any damage caused by trying to fix them yourself may not be covered. You may also need boiler insurance if boiler breakdowns are not covered by your home insurance.

The windiest area in England | Isles of Scilly: 35.1 kph wind speed

The Isles of Scilly might be one of the most beautiful places to live in England, however, residents may be at increased risk of property damage from wind. On the windiest day of the year, wind speeds on the archipelago reach highs of 35.1 kph. It can be common to experience dislodged tiles, broken windows or damaged fences in windy areas.

The area with the most new builds in England | Woking: 8.3% of properties are new builds

Woking has the most new builds, with 8.3% of all properties in the borough being built between 2021 and 2022. New builds have been identified as being at a higher risk of overheating. Alongside this, most homes in England are designed to keep the heat in, meaning those in Woking could suffer property damage from heat.

The area with the most flats in England | London: 56.4% of properties are flats

As England’s busiest and most populated city, it’s no surprise that London has more flats and maisonettes than any other area. Just over half of all properties in the capital are flats, making them susceptible to overheating and storm damage.

How to prepare your home for climate change

Even if you live in a low-risk area, it’s always important to anticipate climate damage. Here are Money.co.uk’s top tips on how to best prevent your home from damage.

Flood-proofing your home

Firstly, make sure that you have the correct insurance to protect your home against floods. Fortunately, most buildings and contents insurance cover damage and repairs from flooding, however, it is always worth checking with your provider.

You can prepare the exterior of your home for flooding by avoiding laying tarmac or paving over your outdoor space, as this can prevent flood water from draining. You could also consider installing a rain barrel beneath one of your gutter system’s downspouts. Not only will this save you money on water bills, but every drop of water that is collected by the barrel is a drop less that could lead to flooding and property damage. Cleaning gutters, downspouts, splash pads and nearby drainage can also help reduce flood water coming into your home.

In a period of flooding in your local area, you can protect your property by moving valuables and important possessions to a higher floor or shelf to prevent water damage. The use of sandbags can also be an effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. If your house does flood, you should also ensure that all electricity in your house is switched off and electric devices are moved to higher floors.

Protecting your home from heat

You can protect your property from heat waves by creating areas of shade around your home by installing curtains or a pergola. A pallet pergola can help by creating outdoor shade while also facilitating air flow. It could also be beneficial to plant trees around your house. Trees and other plants help cool the environment by lowering surface and air temperatures while providing shade to your home. You can also build a deep or enclosed porch to create shady areas at the front of your home.

A low-cost way to protect your home from heat is by installing a window tint or film on your windows. This lowers the amount of heat that can enter your home.

Look out for the signs of heat damage affecting your home. High temperatures can lead to paint damage on your home’s exterior. Look out for bubbling, chipping, and flaking paint after a heatwave. If left unresolved, this exterior damage can create openings that lead to moisture and mould or damp problems inside your home. High heat can also lead to wood warping, discolouration or cracking. A latex wood filler can help to fix short cracks and treating decking with a sealant can prevent further damage.

Protecting your home from cold weather

In cold weather, you can insulate exposed pipes to prevent them from bursting or cracking due to low temperatures, as cracked pipes can be costly to repair. While foam or rubber sleeves can be attached to pipes to insulate them from cold weather, experts recommend heat tracing. A heat tracing system involves a series of paths that heat up electrically. Using a heat trace system can protect indoor pipes at risk of cracking, including those in cold rooms like attics and basements. It’s also a good idea to fill any cracks in your home that freezing air could enter through. 

In cold, windy weather you can also clean your gutters regularly to prevent ice from forming and consider installing a gutter screen to help the flow of water. Cold weather can cause mould or dampness in your home. Reduce the effects of moisture damage by installing extractor fans, and dehumidifiers and by allowing air to circulate through your home, especially during winter.

Protecting your home from wind

You can protect your home from storms by repairing any broken or loose roof tiles to prevent these from becoming dislodged due to high-speed winds. If you tend to your roof regularly, this is a great preventative measure to ensure there are no loose or cracked tiles that could cause damage in the case of a storm. It can also help to fix cracked garden fences, as weakened fences are susceptible to wind damage. If you live in a particularly windy area it might also be a good idea to install storm window shutters. These protect your windows from high wind speeds and loose debris.