Buildings or Contents - who to claim LL or Tenant

jenny_f

We moved into a rented property two months ago, all was fine.

On Saturday a water pipe between two upstairs walls burst - rang landlord to tell him at 1pm. He turned up at about 3. I couldn't find the stop clock so couldn't turn water off, it took him 15 mins to find it too when he arrived (including asking neighbours etc). The water was dripping into the kitchen and I spent the whole day mopping up and using towels/tea towels etc.

Anyway the kitchen now stinks of damp and the upstairs room is also damp and we've had to move very expensive computers and cameras to prevent them getting damaged.

The landlord told us to have the heating on constant - which we know the reason why and understand this. However neither myself or my b/f are in very much for the next week or so. We asked if he could contribute to the bill for this (no reply to this in the email).

We also asked for a dehumidifier - he has said that he'll see if he's got one, if not then it's our contents insurance to contact. We've never had to claim before and just wondering if this is something for the contents insurance or the buildings insurance as it was the building that has caused the damage. As yet none of our things are damaged but due to the damp they could be if that makes sense.

Any advice?

TIA

Astaroth

The buildings insurance will cover the damage to the building, your contents insurance will cover the damage to your contents.

Not sure what of your items you think would be damaged by being in a humid environment? That said, your contents insurers will point out your responsibility to mitigate losses and therefore if you think there is an issue then you will be required to do what you can to resolve the issue (heating on, windows open and/or hire a dehumidifier)

cogito

At the moment, this is really down to the landlord. It's his property that's affected and he should be taking responsibility.

If this were an insurance claim, the insurers would be picking up the bill for drying out costs including dehumidification and excess fuel charges. You shouldn't have to carry these costs.

Your contents insurers are not involved as there is no damage but if there is damage resulting from damp (hard to see how this might arise), you would struggle to make a claim as damp is not covered anyway.

jenny_f

expensive video cameras (TV recording standard) computers - all very expensive business equipment

olly300

jenny_f wrote: »

expensive video cameras (TV recording standard) computers - all very expensive business equipment

If your contents are damaged you claim from your contents insurers.

If they are not in the room and you moved them in time before the water flooded them then they shouldn't be damaged.

The landlord has to claim from their buildings and contents insurance for the damage to the property they own.

In other words dry out the room but protect your own contents.

Astaroth

Business equipment? then it wont be covered by home contents insurance anyway

olly300

Astaroth wrote: »

Business equipment? then it wont be covered by home contents insurance anyway

Some contents insurance policies will cover a certain amount of business equipment - normally up to £5,000, if you specifically look for such a policy and for certain types of businesses where no stock is stored on the premises.

Astaroth

Obviously, yes, check your own specific policy as when cover it is intended for things like laptops etc.... most would not cover

expensive video cameras (TV recording standard) - all very expensive business equipment

The Mrs' kit is a very good but not "TV recording standard" but still is well over £5k