London's Heatwaves Dry Out Clay Soils, Triggering Home Subsidence Crisis

Intense heatwaves in London have dried out the clay soils beneath many homes, causing foundations to shift and walls to crack. Insurance claims for subsidence hit a record in the second quarter of 2026, with average payouts of £20,000, and total costs have risen about 90 percent over four years. Experts warn that more cases are likely as hot weather continues.