Contents insurance requirement on rented property

Svenena

One of my colleagues has just told me that her LA require her to show a copy of her contents insurance every time her AST is renewed, and that it was a condition of renting the property.

This seems a bit strange to me... it's not something I've ever been required to do. They rent the house unfurnished, so it only covers their own belongings. Seems a bit of an invasion of privacy? And some people may not want to pay out for contents insurance - surely it should be personal choice (although obviously advisable).

Has anyone else experienced this?

CloudCuckooLand

Never been asked of me. But I can see it might be an indication of the 'quality' of tenant. Those who tend not to bother with contents cover, are the sort of people who may not look after fixtures and fittings either.

Additionally, where the landlord's buildings cover stops and contents might take over can sometimes be a grey area, so having certainty that between the two policies things are covered, is better than having an argument with a tenant as to who should find the cash, perhaps.

Finally, some contents policies have elements that cover more than just the contents. Personal and Public liability, for example. Which might be reassuring, in the event of guests to the landlords property being injured by the tenants actions...

lightwarrior

It's common practice to insure, contents of a flat while rental, also there might be several other insuraces too.