Can A Landlord Insist On A Tenant Having Contents Insurance?

PasturesNew

I use Endsleigh Insurance - they have a special tenant insurance.

Not only are my contents insured, but my landlord's contents are insured too (e.g. if I were to break/damage something of his then I am covered for it). I also opted for a little extra item, which gets locks/windows sorted immediately if there's a problem (e.g. burglary etc). It would mean a locksmith/glazier would come out on call and fix the problem, rather than risking any delay by the landlord in making the property secure again.

moneysavinmonkey

Endsleigh for me too - always used them as they do specialist tenants insurance which is exactly what you need. I don't know of anywhere else that has tenants insurance and 'home insurance' is always that much more expensive. our policy was about £90 for two of us, including accidental damage for laptops + a camera which i think is great value.

[edited to ad - £90 for the year!]

HGLTsuperstar

Yep they tried to sell me Homelet but look at karmainsurance.com and get the bare minimum - cost me half the price and then got it refunded ASAP afterwards - without the agency knowing of course!

Tassotti

meatandtwoveg wrote: »

From another site, but good question.


This is urgent, i am just about to sign a tenancy agreement, but the thing is, in the offer it states; You are required to have appropriate contents insurance, and we are unable to move you in until you have this in place.

Cheers

Cross this out on the agreement as it is an unfair term.

It is a back-handed sales tactic.

But do get your own insurance, possibly from the ones previous posters have mentioned, but do research for Tenant Insurance and not home insurance.

Tass

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Sure you can do that? it's on the offer, not the contract -

If the landlord failed to insure the buildings everyone would have a wobble, what is so unreasonable at requiring the tenant has adequate insurance for his own chatels? The renting community is very hypocritical.
Next thing , you will say that I cannot refuse to take kids, dogs and smokers.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Snooze wrote: »

They're taking the pi$$ but this is a LA so are you surprised? :rolleyes: The sooner people wake up to the scam that is LA's, the better.

Rob

And the sooner you buy your own home so you don't have to bore the 4rse off of everyone with anecdotes about bad landlord/tenant relationships the better.

To be honest I don't see much wrong with both sides adequately insuring against any loss.

poppysarah

Insisting you have a particular insurance sounds very wrong, but contents insurance is sensible.

pollythena

meatandtwoveg wrote: »

From another site, but good question.


This is urgent, i am just about to sign a tenancy agreement, but the thing is, in the offer it states; You are required to have appropriate contents insurance, and we are unable to move you in until you have this in place.

In the pack there is a homelet policy, its a tenants contents policy, it states it protects the landlords contents against accidental damage thereby protecting your deposit.

IS THIS LEGAL, can i protest, it is £110.00 for a year. £5000.00 worth of contents cover for £11.00 per month.

Are they taking the michael, any advice???


Cheers

I had the same thing when I signed my contracy. I would recommend insurance - you are essentially protecting your belongings against burglary, fire etc, although I'd stear clear of Homelet because you'll be able to get it much, much cheaper elsewhere.

One thing to look for, which will be covered in your tenancy agreement, is over for accidental damage (i.e. of landlords possessions). This means if you cause damage to any of the furniture, fixtures, or fittings, you can claim it off your house insurance to get it replaced, and ensure you get your deposit back.

olly300

If you are desperate for the property cross out the clause and sign the agreement.

If not report the letting agent to trading standards.