The issue of living in a block of flats -who pays for what?

barkingmadhound

I'm a FTB, and I am a little confused.

If I pay a service charge, which is for maintenance of communal areas, and i dont need buildings insruance, who pays if my washing machine leaks and damages the ceiling of the floor below? Also, if my ceiling cracks or something like that, who pays for that??? Because in reality, I would use my Buildings Insurance if I lived in a house or something like that wouldn't I.


Contents insurance wouldnt cover that, and buildings insurance covers the outbuilding which i obviously wouldnt neet. I am confused!!!! :mad:

Is there anybody who can advise? Many Thanks

momisa

Hi

I'm in a flat which is factored (managed by an organisation). My factors bill includes my part of buildings insurance, any work done to maintain security door, cummunal grass cutting etc.

So, if I had a leak in my flat which damaged the flat below that would be part of the buildings insurance and I would contact my factor.

As I understand it, Buildings insurance covers bricks and mortar which includes kitchen and bathroom fittings. Contents insurance is for those items that you could remove from the property if you relocated without damaging any walls.

If you own a property you should have buildings insurance. If it were seriously damaged in a storm to the point that it was flattened how would you rebuild it without being insured?

Hope this helps

mattymoo

I work as a surveyor for an insurance company and occasionally get asked to survey blocks of flats - £10m + jobbies in Mayfair usually. I can dream

Anyway, back to the point. The owner of the block will insure the building and pass on that cost to the tenants. Sometimes the tenants are their own landlord through a co-operative arrangement.

The insurance cost will be included in the service charge.

It also works this way with multi-tenure commercial properties and industrial units that are rented out. The landlord cannot take a chance that his tenant will arrange insurance, pay the premium and select the correct cover.

barkingmadhound

thanks guys, that makes sense. I believe the tenants are the their own landlord here. i am presuming there is one central person who is a contact for the block in this instance.