Tenants Insurance?

jase1875

Me and my partner are moving into an unfurnished rental property in a few weeks and the letting agency in one of their forms states:- "The tenant must have insurance to cover for accidental damage to the Landlord's Property, contents, fixtures and fittings. This cover is generally only available when attached to a contents or personal possessions insurance policy. Standard contents insurance policies may not include such cover and we are pleased to introduce a specialist policy from ...........".

We already have contents insurance but not building insurance which I think is what they're getting at as we believe that is the responsibility of the landlord. Is that right, can they force us to get building insurance?

It states in the Tenancy Terms and Conditions that it is the obligation of the Landlord to "Insure the property and the fixtures and fittings specified in the inventory and schedule of condition to their full replacement value with an insurance company of repute and all terms normally covered by a householders comprehensive policy".

holly_hobby

Buildings ins is the responsibility of the landlord - they should also (if they are savvy) have landlord contents which protects their pocket against damaged sanitary ware and F&Fs, plus typically the cost of redecorating a trashed property etc.

Whilst contents is effected by the tenant.

Hope this helps

Holly

Better_Days

Check your contents insurance policy - it may already have cover for LL's contents, mine does. LA was happy with a copy of the policy schedule. Or your insurer may be able to upgrade your policy at a smaller extra charge than a stand alone policy would cost.

jase1875

Thanks for replies. Checked over the policy and can't see anything about Landlord's contents etc. We just have contents insurance with no extended accidental damage.

Even if we had no insurance at all, can they force a tenant to get some? They emailed this morning asking for proof of insurance, but it does seem like they want us to get cover for the actual property which seems mad for us to have, as well as the landlord.