Public sector risk management association Alarm has warned councils to take extra measures to deal with the risk of subsidence over the coming years.
Alarm believes a rise in claims could leave councils facing massive bills.
It said that with growing evidence of extreme weather conditions in the UK as a result of climate change, local authorities need to be as aware of the risks posed by subsidence as those posed by flooding.
Alarm warned that any subsidence damage to council-owned properties "will fall on the shoulders of the councils".
It said council-owned properties are often not included in council insurance arrangements for subsidence, and the costs of this therefore tend to fall on the budgets of housing and other services affected.
