Homeowners set for subsidence nightmare

After a long drought this summer and the news that 2006 is on course to be the hottest year on record, thousands of homeowners across the country will be forced to file insurance claims for subsidence.

Some 50,000 homes are thought to have been affected this year, predominately in London and the south-east, where the majority of homes are underpinned by porous clay soil.

Subsidence occurs when soil beneath properties readily contracts and expands and it is most likely to do so when long dry spells are followed by heavy rain.

David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association's environment board, told the Evening Standard: "High temperatures and low rainfall in many parts of the country will have left the water table low and trees sucking up any moisture left in the soil.

"If some species of trees are too close to a house this could lead to the earth being unable to hold the weight of the building.

Mr Sparks added that global warming may increase insurance claims in years to come.

"The stark truth is that, in the coming years, climate change will lead to a greater threat to people's homes and this heatwave could leave some home-owners suffering the consequences of planting quick-growing or large trees too near to their, or their neighbours', properties."

Individual insurance claims for subsidence can reach up to £250,000.