London homes face record subsidence risk following heatwaves

London is experiencing historic levels of subsidence risk following five successive heatwaves. The intense heat has dried out the clay soil upon which much of the city is built, destabilizing building foundations and causing significant structural damage, including severe cracking and shifting kitchens.

Data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows that subsidence-related insurance claims reached a record high last quarter. The average household claim reached £20,000 (US$27,200), representing a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Experts from the ABI suggest this upward trend is likely to continue as hot weather becomes more frequent.

High-risk areas include sought-after boroughs such as Westminster, Kensington, and Chelsea. Otso Lahtinen, chief executive of the engineering firm Geobear, noted that such damage may become the ‘new norm’ over the next 20 to 30 years due to changing climate patterns.