If your home has been damaged by flooding, finding somewhere safe and comfortable to live can quickly become one of your biggest priorities.
Even after the flood water has disappeared, a property may remain unsuitable to live in while it is cleaned, dried, inspected and repaired. Depending on the extent of the damage, this process can take anything from a few weeks to several months.
For homeowners and tenants in Maidstone who need to move out temporarily, understanding how alternative accommodation works — and what type of accommodation to look for — can make the weeks ahead considerably easier.
What Should You Do Immediately After Your Home Is Flooded?
The first priority after flooding is safety.
GOV.UK advises checking that it is safe to return to a flooded property and warns against turning the gas, electricity or water back on until the relevant utilities have been checked.
It is also important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Before clearing damaged belongings, take photographs of the damage and flood-water levels and speak to your insurer about what should be retained, removed or disposed of.
Flood water can also contain sewage and other contaminants, so care needs to be taken when entering or cleaning a flooded property.
Can Your Insurance Pay for Temporary Accommodation After a Flood?
Potentially, yes.
If your home is considered uninhabitable following an insured flood, your buildings or contents insurance policy may include cover for alternative accommodation.
The Association of British Insurers advises that where a home is uninhabitable while insured repairs are being carried out, insurers can arrange and pay for temporary alternative accommodation in accordance with the individual policy.
Exactly what is covered will depend on your insurer, your policy wording and the circumstances of the claim.
Your insurer may:
- Arrange accommodation for you directly
- Ask a loss adjuster or relocation company to arrange it
- Allow you to find suitable accommodation yourself and submit it for approval
- Initially arrange a hotel before moving you into longer-term accommodation
If you are asked to source accommodation yourself, it is sensible to obtain approval from your insurer or claims handler before confirming a longer booking.
How Long Might You Need Temporary Accommodation?
Flood damage can take considerably longer to repair than many homeowners initially expect.
Removing damaged materials may only be the beginning.
A property can then require:
- Professional drying and dehumidification
- Electrical inspections
- Plumbing work
- Replacement flooring
- Plastering
- Decorating
- Replacement kitchens or bathrooms
- Structural repairs
- Treatment for damp or mould
- Building inspections
- Approval of additional work discovered during repairs
Drying alone can sometimes extend the repair programme.
The Association of British Insurers notes that depending on the severity of flood damage, returning home can take anything from a few weeks to a year or more.
This is why flexibility can be particularly important when choosing temporary accommodation.
Hotel or Serviced Apartment After Flood Damage?
A hotel can be extremely useful immediately after an emergency.
For a stay of a few nights, you may simply need somewhere safe to sleep while you speak to your insurer and establish what happens next.
The situation changes considerably when temporary accommodation is required for several weeks or months.
Living in a hotel room for an extended period can become difficult, particularly for families.
A furnished serviced apartment offers something closer to everyday home life.
You can have your own kitchen, living room, bedrooms and laundry facilities rather than relying on hotel rooms and eating out every day.
For longer flood-damage insurance stays, that difference can be significant.
What Should You Look for in Temporary Flood Accommodation?
If you are likely to be away from home for more than a few weeks, think about what you normally need in order to live comfortably rather than simply what you need for an overnight stay.
A Proper Kitchen
Being able to prepare normal meals is particularly valuable during a long stay.
Eating in restaurants or ordering takeaway food every day can quickly become impractical, especially for families.
Laundry Facilities
A washing machine and other laundry facilities are important when temporary accommodation becomes your home for several months.
Enough Living Space
Separate bedrooms and living areas can make a major difference.
This is particularly relevant if you have children or if somebody in the household works from home.
Reliable Wi-Fi
Work, school, entertainment and everyday administration all depend heavily on internet access.
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi is therefore an important consideration for longer stays.
Parking
If you usually travel by car, check whether parking is included.
Having an allocated parking space near your accommodation can make everyday life considerably easier.
Location
Where possible, many people prefer to remain reasonably close to their existing home.
That can make it easier to continue using the same schools, workplaces, shops, doctors and other local services while repairs are taking place.
Flexible Stay Length
Perhaps most importantly, consider what will happen if your repair programme changes.
A stay initially expected to last six weeks can easily become three months.
Accommodation that can potentially be extended can reduce the risk of having to move a second time before your home is ready.
Temporary Accommodation for Families After Flooding
Flooding is disruptive for anyone, but having to leave home can be particularly difficult for families.
Maintaining as much normality as possible can therefore become important.
Having separate bedrooms, somewhere to cook family meals, space to relax and facilities for washing clothes can help temporary accommodation feel much less temporary.
Remaining in the Maidstone area may also allow children to continue attending their existing school and parents to maintain normal commuting and family routines.
For this reason, a serviced apartment can be particularly suitable when an insurer expects a family to be displaced for several weeks or months.
Temporary Accommodation After Flood Damage in Maidstone
St Andrews Apartments provides fully furnished serviced apartments in Maidstone for individuals, couples and families who need temporary accommodation while their normal home is being repaired.
Our apartments are particularly well suited to longer insurance stays.
Facilities include:
- Two bedrooms
- Two bathrooms
- Fully equipped kitchens
- Separate living areas
- Washing and laundry facilities
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Allocated parking
- Bedding and towels
- Furnished accommodation ready to move into
We regularly accommodate guests staying for several weeks or months and welcome enquiries from homeowners, tenants, insurers, loss adjusters and specialist relocation companies.
For further information, visit our Insurance Accommodation in Maidstone page.
If you already know that you are likely to need temporary accommodation, you do not necessarily need to wait until the final repair timetable has been established before making an enquiry.
Providing your approximate dates, number of occupants and anticipated length of stay allows us to check suitable availability.
Where availability permits, we can also discuss extending a stay if repair work takes longer than originally anticipated.
What If You Do Not Have Insurance?
Kent County Council advises people who cannot continue living in their home after flooding to speak to their local district council if they have nowhere else to stay.
GOV.UK also advises contacting your local council if flooding leaves you needing emergency housing and you do not have insurance.
In Maidstone, this would mean contacting Maidstone Borough Council for appropriate local assistance.
Useful Help After Flooding in Maidstone
Several official resources may be useful following flood damage:
GOV.UK – What to Do After a Flood
Practical government guidance covering safety, contacting insurers, cleaning up and returning to your property.
Environment Agency – Check for Flooding
Current flood warnings, alerts, river levels and forecasts for Maidstone and the surrounding area.
Maidstone Borough Council – Flooding Advice
Local information covering flood preparation, clean-up and local services.
Kent County Council – Help After a Flood
Kent-specific information covering temporary accommodation, safety and recovering after a flooding incident.
Association of British Insurers
Information about making an insurance claim following flooding and how alternative accommodation may be handled.
Need Somewhere to Stay After Flood Damage in Maidstone?
If flooding has made your property temporarily uninhabitable, St Andrews Apartments can provide furnished accommodation in Maidstone while repairs are completed.
Our two-bedroom serviced apartments offer considerably more space and everyday facilities than a conventional hotel room and can be particularly suitable for stays lasting several weeks or months.
Visit our Insurance Accommodation in Maidstone page or contact us directly with your expected dates and accommodation requirements.
Not all of our long-stay availability is necessarily displayed online, so please contact us even if you cannot immediately see suitable dates.
Insurance policies and individual claims vary. Always confirm your entitlement to alternative accommodation, approved costs and booking arrangements with your insurer, loss adjuster or claims representative.