Flood Re trials certificates for new homes
Flood Re will test a certification system for new-build homes to confirm flood resilience measures. The move aims to provide clarity for developers, insurers, and homeowners.
The proposed Flood Performance Certificate would work like Energy Performance Certificates, offering a formal record of flood mitigation efforts after construction. Ardent Consulting Engineers conducted case studies that revealed gaps in tracking property flood resilience measures in new developments.
Gaps in flood preparedness tracking
The planning system includes flood resilience requirements, but no standard method exists to verify whether these measures are installed as planned. This uncertainty leaves insurers, lenders, and buyers unsure about a property’s actual flood preparedness.
Brian Cafferkey, director at Ardent Consulting Engineers, stated the certificate would provide independent verification that flood mitigation and resilience measures were delivered as designed. It would create a trusted, transferable record of a home’s resilience, increasing confidence in the housing market.
Jonathan Kassian, head of flood resilience at Flood Re, said the framework would support the planning system by offering a clear, standardized record. “Post-construction records of flood mitigation would improve transparency and recognition of resilience measures in new housing,” he explained.
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The pilot is set to begin by late 2026, with plans to introduce discounted insurance premiums tied to the certificates in 2028. Flood Re does not currently cover new builds, but the certificate could help insurers evaluate risk and pricing more accurately.
For homeowners, the certificate may offer reassurance, especially in flood-prone areas. Insurers could use the data to adjust underwriting and pricing, potentially reducing costs for properties with verified measures. Lenders might also benefit, as better risk assessments could lower mortgage defaults related to flood damage.
The pilot will examine how to conduct post-construction assessments and make data accessible to stakeholders. If widely adopted, the system could become a standard part of buying a home, similar to insurance premium checks today.
A single certificate may not solve all flood risks.
Yet it could mark a step toward more reliable protection for homeowners and insurers alike.
