Climate risks: how they affect your home

1. Be alert to water damage

Tip: Check the terms of your building and contents insurance to see what water damage is covered by default. Increasingly, insurers are adding extra conditions and exclusions. One of the most visible effects of climate change is heavier rain. Dutch homes can usually withstand a shower, but today’s downpours are causing more damp and mold problems. Why? Warmer air holds more water vapor and more water evaporates from, for example, the sea. That adds moisture to the atmosphere. When that moisture falls down during a storm, rainfall can be much more intense.

Tip: Buying an apartment? Check the multi‑year maintenance plan and the minutes of the homeowners association meetings (VvE, Vereniging van Eigenaren) for earlier discussions about leaks, damp or mold. If you’re house-hunting, assess how well a property stands up to precipitation now and in the future. That helps during negotiations and lets you estimate what you might need to invest after buying to protect the home from moisture. A structural survey (building inspection) shows the state of maintenance and can uncover moisture problems.

Curious whether your home has a moisture problem? A moisture meter lets you check several spots. You can rent or buy one inexpensively. For more certainty, hire a specialist.

2. Avoid wet feet

Flooding and rising groundwater can also damage your house. Before making an offer, research the situation around the property. Online maps show neighborhoods at risk of flooding, for example from nearby rivers.

Does the home have a garage or basement below ground level? Note that damage from groundwater entering from the soil is often excluded from insurance coverage. Installing a water‑detection system can help—it alerts you when humidity rises in the space. Insurers sometimes make that mandatory.

3. Check the foundation

Tip: Suspect foundation damage in a home you want to buy? Remember, a structural inspector only examines what’s visible and accessible. They can, however, spot signs of foundation problems, like wall cracks or subsidence. For certainty, commission a dedicated foundation inspection. Climate change can also affect your home’s foundation. The risk of financial damage from subsidence and pile rot is increasing due to more extreme weather. Pile rot occurs when wooden foundation piles, which usually sit below the groundwater level, become exposed to air and dry out. The Knowledge Centre for Dealing with Foundation Problems (KCAF — Kennis Centrum Aanpak Funderingsproblematiek) estimates that hundreds of thousands of Dutch homes could be affected by foundation issues. Repairs are often costly but important to prevent further damage. Lenders have recently made it easier to use part of your home equity for foundation repairs. If you don’t have enough equity, you may be eligible for a loan from the Fonds Duurzaam Funderingsherstel (Sustainable Foundation Repair Fund) with favorable terms.

4. Be ready for heat

Average temperatures in the Netherlands continue to rise each year, and so does the risk of heat stress. Some city spots warm up more because buildings trap heat. Maybe you can plant trees in front of the building with the VvE to filter strong summer sun, or opt for a green roof? Measures like these can increase your home’s value. If you’re looking at a heat‑sensitive home, you may be able to include some of these measures in your financing. Some municipalities also offer subsidies for green roofs.

Want more tips to future‑proof your home?

There’s usually more you can do. Renovations can make your home both more future‑proof and more comfortable. and you don’t always need to touch your savings. Talk to your advisor about financing options for renovations. Read more in this article.

Want to know exactly how to arrange smooth financing with your Viisi advisor? Make an appointment with one of our experts.

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