Buildings Insurance required for a flat?

intex

I am in the process of buying a flat. The Home Information Pack says that there is buildings insurance for the block of flats, that our flat is located in. The insurance premium is included in the service charge we are due to pay monthly.

Do we need to get our own buildings insurance (in addtion to the buildings insurance for the entire block of flats)?

I have asked the estate agent and our solicitor, but no-one seems to know!

theartfullodger

I have asked the estate agent and our solicitor, but no-one seems to know!

- So, that tells the EA & solicitor don't understand the business of property & flats... Hmmmnn.... find another Solicitor I think..

Cheers!

Lodger

McKneff

No, you dont need to buy separate buildings insurance, you are already paying for it and are covered.

You just need to buy contents insurance, as does all the other tenants in the block.

Jowo_2

In flats where I've lived in Scotland that have a common buildings insurance policy, each householder pays an equal share towards it and doesn't require an additional policy, just separate contents insurance.

The problem with flats is when some owners can't be bothered to pay for buildings insurance and then when there is a serious issue, like a fire or structural problems, it causes loads of hassle. Plus all the extra hassle involved when separate insurers are involved during a claim.

Before we had common buildings insurance, we had an uninsured idiot expect that the modest maintenance/cleaning charges he paid to cover repairs in the common areas of the block (stairs and gardens) would cover a repair a leak under his bath that spoiled the ceiling of the flat below. That's when we found out that he couldn't be bothered to insure his own flat ane expected other householders to pay his personal maintence costs...

Fire_Fox

I'm with Lodger, you need another conveyancing solicitor. Leasehold properties are complicated beasts but your question about buildings insurance was pretty basic! Information on all matters leasehold here: http://www.lease-advice.org/

intex

McKneff wrote: »

No, you dont need to buy separate buildings insurance, you are already paying for it and are covered.

You just need to buy contents insurance, as does all the other tenants in the block.

I have checked a lot of insurance web sites and it does not appear to be possible to buy contents insurance that covers the fixtures and fittings in the kitchen/bathroom and the white goods in the ktichen. It seems that you have to buy buildings insurance to have this level of cover?

PasturesNew

#3 and #4 are correct. It is usual for buildings insurance to be purchased by the managing agents and for the cost of that to be split between flat owners as part of their service charge.

The reason for this is because if there is a serious problem (think fire or flood), then the whole building might need sorting out under one insurance policy, rather than finding out (too late) than only half had insurance and trying to get those companies to agree to anything between them.

It is therefore preferable for one insurance policy to be in place.

Just make sure you get a copy of it now and each renewal so you know it's being done.

G_M

intex wrote: »

I have checked a lot of insurance web sites and it does not appear to be possible to buy contents insurance that covers the fixtures and fittings in the kitchen/bathroom and the white goods in the ktichen. It seems that you have to buy buildings insurance to have this level of cover?

Fixtures and fittings should be included in the buildings policy.
White goods = contents.

Someone recently explained it by saying if you imagined turning the building upside down, anything loose that fell out would be covered by contents - anythingthat stayed put would be buildings.

dacouch

Fixed white goods eg built in are defined as buildings and not contents

G_M

dacouch wrote: »

Fixed white goods eg built in are defined as buildings and not contents

True, the key word being 'fixed'. Making them 'fixtures and fittings' which would not 'tumble out'.

Most white goods however are not fixed.

dacouch

You stated white goods are contents which is not always the case

Built in Fridge / Freezer, built in washing machine, built in oven, built in dish washer would all be regarded as buildings

If they are bolted in or otherwise fixed and would not be expected to go with you when you move they are often regarded as buildings

If they are free standing then they are contents.