Tenant contents insurance - does it have to include Landlords items?

Dubber_2

Hi all. In my previous rental property I had a normal content insurance policy from direct line. For the property I am looking at renting, on the initial forms from the agents, it says that contents insurance is mandatory (fine as I'd get it anyway) but it then goes on to say:

Tenants must provide adequate tenants contents insurance which provides for accidental damage to landlords property and provide proof of this at check in.

So firstly, I assume this is different to normal contents insurance, so did I get something wrong when I was renting before? I guess landlords property would include the cooker, carpets, not sure what else as its an unfurnished property. Would a normal content policy cover me for that or do I need something special?

I don't want to go with the one the agents recommend as I know perfectly well that they get 25% commission from selling it so are only recommending it because of that!

angrypirate

Landlord or letting agent cannot force you to have insurance full stop. Not even contractually. The landlord should have insurance that covers his furnishings of the property (ie sofa, carpet) but he cannot force you to have it.

rexmedorum

angrypirate wrote: »

Landlord or letting agent cannot force you to have insurance full stop. Not even contractually. The landlord should have insurance that covers his furnishings of the property (ie sofa, carpet) but he cannot force you to have it.

That's true, if you accidentally damaged something would it come out of your deposit? (If you didn't have an insurance?)

pinkstarsx

The landlord should have his own home insurance for the property.
You only need the contents cover - be careful when purchasing, i did one that was £22 a month but covered me up to £50,000, when amending the address was told i only needed the essential cover (Natwest, which covers you between 2-14k) which was £7 a month :rotfl:
It's hard to put a value on all your possessions but we said approx 5k.
It will cover accidental damage too. Just double check over the phone with the company you're doing it through as although usually slightly more than purchasing online, they can give you all the info required.
You don't want to affect your deposit so it's best to be on the safe side.

rexmedorum

pinkstarsx wrote: »

The landlord should have his own home insurance for the property.
You only need the contents cover - be careful when purchasing, i did one that was £22 a month but covered me up to £50,000, when amending the address was told i only needed the essential cover (Natwest, which covers you between 2-14k) which was £7 a month :rotfl:
It's hard to put a value on all your possessions but we said approx 5k.
It will cover accidental damage too. Just double check over the phone with the company you're doing it through as although usually slightly more than purchasing online, they can give you all the info required.
You don't want to affect your deposit so it's best to be on the safe side.

yes but most contents insurances explicitly say that the stuff covered needs to be yours no?

poppysarah

rexmedorum wrote: »

That's true, if you accidentally damaged something would it come out of your deposit? (If you didn't have an insurance?)

For which you would pay an excess and your insurance would probably go up next year. (And you'd have to know for sure they covered landlords stuff ... do most normal policies?)

Plus if you didn't have insurance and you damaged something then the landlord can't claim the full price of something brand new from you - unless it was brand new...

Dubber_2

rexmedorum - yes, I believe this is the case, which is why I'm wondering what policy to get. I don't want to buy one and then find it isn't suitable.

I would assume that damage to the cooker etc would be covered in the deposit. I guess the same goes for kitchen units, bathroom furniture, things like the mirrors on fitted wardrobes?

So if I was to buy a normal policy can I just tell them my contents are covered or can they insist I take out extra cover to include accidental damage of the landlords items in the property?

rexmedorum

Dubber wrote: »

rexmedorum - yes, I believe this is the case, which is why I'm wondering what policy to get. I don't want to buy one and then find it isn't suitable.

I would assume that damage to the cooker etc would be covered in the deposit. I guess the same goes for kitchen units, bathroom furniture, things like the mirrors on fitted wardrobes?

So if I was to buy a normal policy can I just tell them my contents are covered or can they insist I take out extra cover to include accidental damage of the landlords items in the property?

Well that would be against the Office of Fair Traiding ecommendations that this is an unfair contract clause. Having said that many egencies insist on unfair terms. perhaps it's easiest to say that you will sort it out, without offering further details?

Annabee

We used Endsleigh, and this covers any landlord's items you are responsible for. It was cheap too. You must make them aware you are a tenant though.

I know what you mean about the one recommended by some LAs - can't think what they are called - but I presume the LA get commission, and it ain't cheap.

Dubber_2

Yup, the LA do get commission - it actually advertises this on said companies website, they get 25% commission. Will try Endsleigh if they offer this sort of policy.

Unfortunately we can't just say we'll sort it out as the agency information says a suitable certificate of insurance must be shown at check in!

Sharon87

Endsleigh are good, had them at uni. They're best for tenants because of the accidental cover to LL's items.

I'm taking out some insurance soon and going to use these (bit too late though, wish I had it before someone broke in!)

I'd say definitely get it, even if it's a low crime area (like my place is) you never know...