Home insurance - building vs contents has me confused

pg1981

Situation: I bought a long leasehold to a flat in London. It is a converted victorian terrace with 5 other flats in the building. The freehold is owned by a management company which myself and the other flat owners each have an equal share in (ie standard share of freehold arrangement)

There is a buildings insurance policy in place which is in the name of the management company (ie the freeholder). I have contents insurance for the contents of my flat.

Where I am getting confused is under which policy the fixtures and fittings in my flat specifically are covered (eg the fitted kitchen, fitted bathroom, glass panelling etc). I am clear they are not contents insurance (and the wording of the contents policy is not ambiguous on that point)

However, it is not clear to me that they are covered under the buildings insurance either. The wording of that policy suggests that only the landlord's (ie the freeholder) fixtures and fittings are covered. I interpret this as basically the communal areas.

Hypothetical scenario - if there was a fire and i had to replace the fitted kitchen, what policy would i claim under or am i not covered?

I may be over analysing this but it has me perplexed. Given that my situation is hardly unique I assume there is a simple explanantion

Can anyone help? I have copied the building insurance policy wording below. Remember that "You" or "Your" here refers to the management company / landlord

Property Insured - The premises shown in the schedule including outbuildings, annexes, gangways, conveniences, foundations or footings (unless otherwise excluded) yards, car parks, roads, pavements, pedestrian malls, pedestrian access, bridges, hardstandings, bollards, barriers, patios, terraces, paths, drives,
landscaping planters, ornamental features, hedges and statues, walls, gates and fences together with landlord’s fixtures and fittings in or on the premises. CCTV systems, telecommunications, flag
poles, security stations, lamp posts, street furniture, aerials, aerial fittings and masts, fixed signs, satellite dishes, wind turbines, solar panels, entry and exit systems, cess pits, septic tanks, oil tanks,
tenants improvements, interior decorations, underground pipes, drains, piping, ducting, cables, wires and associated control gear and accessories, electricity sub stations and pumping stations on the premises and extending to the public mains but only to the extent of Your responsibility.

phill99

It says 'tenants improvements'. So the fitted kitchen etc would come under that.

In my experience in undertaking repairs on behalf of insurers, there is usually little doubt that the items you refer to: kitchens, bathrooms etc are covered under the buildings block policy.

pg1981

Great. Thank you for clarifying

Annisele

As a general rule, contents insurances covers the things that would fall out if you turned your house upside down and shook it.

There can be some wrinkles with that (see this debate on laminate flooring) and ultimately it'll come down to the insurers terms, and whether those terms were made clear.

I'm not an expert, but I'd agree with phil99; fitted kitchens sound like tenants improvements to me. However, if you're not sure - ask the insurers.