Buildings & Contents Insurance for an Overdwelling

suzeloves

Hi everyone,

We are just about to complete on our purchase of an overdwelling property in Yorkshire.

Basically I'm sure you all know but, an overdwelling is really common in Yorkshire, our house number is in the 2000's and all the street is overdwelling/underdwelling. Our house is a terrace house with an entrance onto the street as per any terrace; to the left of us at ground level ie sort of down some old fashion steps is a passageway to the back of the house. At the back of the house is the entrance for a single storey underdwelling which runs underneath our house (although our house is actually partly built into the hill and partly over this house) but the underdwelling ceiling is essentially our floor. . This is all because of building into the valley (the view from the back of our house is simply breathtaking) and saving space doing so. We have totally different access doors, and no access to each others property, it's like being a back to back it's just we're over and under.

To complicate matters our house is a leasehold at a ground rent of £1 p/a for a 999 year lease.

Anyway, clearly we need buildings insurance as part of the mortgage criteria. So I tried to get buildings insurance and it was nay on impossible, everyone turned us down, including ironically the mortgage company. Finally we have got insurance at quite a high level (relatively, it's still half what someone at work is paying!) but it'll have to do.

Just wondering why this would be? I can't stress how common this idea is oop north! A few of the companies muttered something about it because the houses are in the same building but surely all terraces are the same building? And then we also got told it's something to do with the freeholder buying insurance - but I think that only counts for short term modern flat leases like 99 year ones in London and the like. Our freeholder is some doddery 90 year old woman, she's unlikely to be insuring the whole terrace!

Cheers for any opinions!

ILW

Sounds like it is similar to insuring a flat, ie common exterior walls. This would seem to imply freeholder responsbility.

vaio

I suspect this is where a local broker with local knowledge will earn their keep

Jen99

Hi,

It's a while since you posted but just in case you or anyone else can help...We're in the process of buying an overdwelling, also in sunny Yorkshire. Where's the best place to get building
insurance for this type of property, in your view (i.e. who did you end up going for)? Are there any known issues with selling overdwellings beyond insurance obstacles?

Thanks

dacouch

For construction types that are unique to an area, it can often be easier to use a local broker as they will be experienced in handling this. Avoid Swinton.

If you want to go you're own way, try disclosing it as a maisonette and then once you get quotes give the Insurer a call and describe your home construction. It's important you make a note of the time / date of the call and the persons name and store this safely, ideally ask them to confirm in writing.

Alternatively speak to your new neighboor and ask them, this can be a good way as it makes things much easier if you have a claim if both properties are insured with the same insurer.

Jen99

Thanks, will do that.