# A quarter of homeowners take no steps against storm damage

> Almost half of homeowners do not check their roofs, a poll by homeowners' association Vereniging Eigen Huis found, as it urges checks before the first autumn storm.

Housing · published 2026-10-22 09:00 · https://nlnow.nl/a/a-quarter-of-homeowners-take-no-steps-against-storm-damage/

About a quarter of homeowners take no preventive measures, according to a poll by Vereniging Eigen Huis of 1,080 homeowners. Some 44% do not check their roofs.

The association urges owners to check the roof, facade, drainage and garden before the first autumn storm.

**Leaks through roof or facade are the most common damage among affected homeowners** (% of affected homeowners; source: Vereniging Eigen Huis)

- Leaks via roof or facade: 31
- Roof damage: 25
- Water damage inside the house: 14
- Fences: 7
- Trees or branches in own garden: 2
- Solar panels: 2
- Garden furniture and trampolines: 1
- Other damage: 17

John Kersemakers, building expert at the association, said a blocked gutter, a loose roof tile or a worn joint can go unnoticed in ordinary rain. "In a storm or downpour, such a weak spot can suddenly cause major damage," he said.

> You can't stop extreme weather, but you can limit a lot of the consequential damage.
> — John Kersemakers, Vereniging Eigen Huis

The poll found that about one in seven homeowners had trouble with roof damage or leaks caused by autumn weather in the past five years. The chart shows the damage those affected reported.

## Background

- **Vereniging Eigen Huis**: The Dutch homeowners' association, a membership organisation for people who own their own home in the Netherlands. It represents the interests of homeowners towards government and other parties, and gives its members advice and information on housing matters such as maintenance, taxes and rules for owners. It regularly publishes surveys of homeowners, which is why its findings on home maintenance are often cited in the Dutch press.

From NLnow, news from the Netherlands in English. How stories are made: https://nlnow.nl/about/