Storm Amy this month became the first named storm of the autumn to impact the UK. It was a timely reminder of the need for landlords to stormproof their rental properties as the stormy season begins.
But with costs already high, how can you do that on a budget, and, if you are unlucky enough to need to make a claim on your rental property what do insurers expect from you? Thankfully, there are simple, low-cost steps you can take to protect your property.
Encourage tenants to put away summer essentials
Your tenants might still be clinging on to the idea of an Indian summer, but that doesn’t mean that sun-loungers and deckchairs should still be cluttering the garden. Ideally, your rental property should include a safe space, such as a garden shed, for them to store such items safely.
Secure loose items
Other items might not be so easy to put away – a children’s trampoline, for example – could easily become a flying hazard. Encouraging tenants to secure loose items that can’t be stored elsewhere will help prevent them taking flight in storm gusts and potentially damaging properties or injuring passers-by.
Checking your rental property before and after a storm
Effective maintenance of your rental property will help identify potential problems before they escalate into bigger issues during or after a storm. A loose roof tile, for example, could become a danger to life as well as a leak risk if it’s dislodged further by the wind. Similarly, a blocked gutter or drain could cause flooding if it can’t cope with the increased volume of rainwater.
Respond fast to flooding
If your property is at risk of flooding from bad weather or a river bursting its banks, then it’s your responsibility as the landlord to prepare a property for potential flood damage – including providing advice to tenants on what to do to rectify any damage that occurs if flooding does take place and to have comprehensive insurance in place that covers flood damage.
Your tenant should inform you as soon as possible if flooding and damage has occurred so that you can ensure repairs are carried out promptly. You will be responsible not only for protecting your tenant but also their belongings during this time. If flooding is a common risk in your property, then encouraging them to have a flood kit ready that contains the essentials they would need, as well as moving valuables upstairs, will help them cope with a flood.
What insurers expect
If damage does occur to your rental property during a storm, then complying with your insurance terms will ensure a faster resolution. In 2025, insurers paid out £322 million for damage caused by storms, heavy rainfall and frozen pipes between April and June alone, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Comprehensive landlord insurance cover will protect you financially from any damages related to storms although certain things, such as fences, won’t be covered. Tenants should report any damage to you or your managing agent as soon as possible, enabling you to get in touch with your insurers. Emergency helplines will help you deal with more urgent issues, so make sure you have these to hand.
Your insurer can also help to advise on any measures to be taken, such as any temporary repairs that you or the tenant could make to prevent the problem getting worse. If you do need to arrange emergency repairs then you should also tell your insurer, keeping any receipts to claim back later.
For more information on how Kings Group can assist you on your letting journey, please contact one of our branches in Essex, London or Hertfordshire today. We also offer a free and instant online valuation to give you an idea of how much your property could be worth on the current market.
