Carpet Insurance Claim - Landlords Carpets

Annan

Hello,

I want to make a claim for a stained carpet on my contents insurance.

First I was told that my policy didn't cover carpets, though I remember making sure that it did. They looked up the initial sales call and are now telling me that because I didn't buy the carpets they aren't covered. They are the property of the landlord.

The person on the phone said they didn't understand the notes and would contact a supervisor, so is going to phone back in a bit.

Hope someone can give me some advice about this!

Quentin

If they are the landlord's carpets, then he ought to insure them. See if he has and get him to make a claim.

dogbot

What caused the stain? there is a slight chance that it will be covered under a tenants liability section but they usualy only cover you for certain perils like fire, escape of water. If you dropped something on them then you will just have to pay up t the landlord.

Annan

The landlord doesn't have contents insurance as I was specifically asked to get insurance for the contents, flooring and whitegoods.

The stain was caused accidentally by a guest.

Quentin

The landlord should have insured these items (there are "unfurnished property contents" policies for landlords who let unfurnished, but have their own items in the property like carpets, curtains, kitchen appliances, light fittings etc)

The landlord was unreasonable in asking you to insure these items that don't belong to you.

Annan

Hmm, thanks, I'll mention that to the landlord. Does their unreasonabilty help me though?

Quentin

It should do, as the landlord wanted you to take out insurance on his property which you can't do!

Annan

Can't the landlord just say that it was me that damaged the carpet therefore I need to replace it?

Quentin

Yes, if your agreement makes you responsible for any accidental damage to the landlord's property.

(What will you have to pay out for these items owned by the landlord if the house is a total loss after a fire?)

vaio

Isn’t this one of the “insurable interest” things?

If your tenancy makes you responsible for accidental damage to the carpets then you can insure against this.

(I think)

Annan

Yeah, I think I'm well and truly screwed.

"The Subjects" -Address-, and the furniture, furnishings and other effects if any belonging to the Landlord therein.

FORTH The Tenant accepts the Subjects as being in good and tenantable condition and repair and shall be bound to keep and maintain the interior of the Subject in the same good and tenantable condition and repair throughout the period of the Short Assured Tenancy and to leave them at the termination thereof for any reason in the like good and tenantable condition and repair and in good decorative order. The Tenant shall require the written consent of the Landlords before commencing any internal decoration. The Tenant shall keep the Subjects in good order and clean condition and to leave the Subjects in a like order and condition at his outgoing. Without prejudice to the generality, the tenant shall leave the bathroom and the kitchen (including cooker and oven) in a clean and tidy condition at his outgoing. The tenant shall replace or repair any part thereof which may be broken, missing or damaged. The Landlord undertakes to maintain the structure and the exterior of the Subjects in water tight condition and will keep in repair and good working order the installations in the Subjects for the supply of water, gas, electricity and sanitation, provided always that any defects in such installation are not due to improper use of or neglect by the Tenant. The Tenant shall keep the furniture, furnishings and other effects in the Subjects in good order and clean condition and shall replace or repair any of these may be damaged.