The government and Flood Re announced on 13 October 2026 that they plan to introduce Flood Performance Certificates (FPCs) for homes in England, with pilots starting in flood-prone areas before the end of the year. Nothing is compulsory for landlords yet, but the proposal is worth watching.
What has been announced
Defra and Flood Re say FPCs would give standardised information on a property’s flood risk and resilience, with the aim of becoming a trusted source in the way Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are for energy efficiency. One approach being explored is a “Flood Performance Rating” that splits risk into exposure, characteristics and resistance, drawing on the existing Check Your Flood Risk service, which covers rivers and surface water.
The pilots, run by Flood Re, will begin in 2026 in areas at risk of flooding and continue through 2027 and beyond. They will test how resilience is assessed, communicated and recognised, working with homeowners, insurers and lenders. The government says the final certificate design has not been published and the mock-up shown is illustrative only.
Flood Performance Certificates: what happens next
Defra and Flood Re announce the plan for Flood Performance Certificates in England.
Flood Re pilots begin in areas at risk of flooding.
Further pilots test how resilience is assessed and communicated, with homeowners, insurers and lenders.
Flood Re contents-only premium in Council Tax Bands A and B due to fall to £25.
Final certificate design not yet published. Source: GOV.UK, 13 October 2026.
What it means for landlords
The announcement does not mention landlords or say that FPCs will apply to rented homes, and no legal requirement to obtain one has been proposed. At this stage this is a pilot, not a change to your obligations. Existing duties, such as holding a valid EPC when letting, are unaffected.
There are practical points to note, though:
- Lenders are listed as pilot partners, so flood-resilience information could in future influence how lenders and insurers view a property.
- From April 2027, the Flood Re premium for contents-only policies in Council Tax Bands A and B is due to fall to £25, a change aimed at lower-income households and renters. Tenants may wish to be told about it.
- You can already check a property’s long-term flood risk on gov.uk and sign up for flood warnings.
Sources
- GOV.UK: New pioneering certificates to help homeowners cut flood risk
- GOV.UK: Check your long-term flood risk
- GOV.UK: Sign up for flood warnings
This article is general information for UK landlords, not legal advice. Check the current position or take professional advice.
