Letting Agent: Compulsory contents insurance?

Libra1975

From another website

"Firstly, the landlord wanted me to take out insurance to cover his property in the flat. This is unreasonable, as it's up to the landlord to cover his property using landlords insurance."

Notlob

Rabbitmad

Having read the document it doesn't cover the specific insurance mentioned (ie accidental damage to LL's property) but one could decide that it does apply and therefore is unfair.

Ah, didn't you kinow, ambiguity creates case law definition.

Personally what I think the OP should do is take out the insurance - show the documentation to the LL and then cancel using the 14 day cancellation period that all policies come with.

Now that's not very fair, a bit underhand don't you think!

Notlob

all_change

Thanks for all your views and suggestions.

I think I have the answer to this: the LA originally sent us completely different hard copy and electronic copy specimen tenancy agreement paperwork.

I have finally been able to clarify which version we will be signing (subject to very thorough checking on our part) - and there is no mention in this paperwork of the compulsory insurance.

So it seems that the agent sent us out-of-date paperwork which no longer applies. Looks like they know that the OFT considers compulsory insurance clauses to be unfair.

The LA has also made countless other errors in the paperwork - a formal complaint is in order as soon as we get into the property. The landlady is managing the property direct from then on.

RabbitMad

If their paperwork is this poor make sure you have original copies of everything they give you with their signatures on (especially contracts and inventories).

Also as a tip, when entering the property check the inventory very carefully and complain in writing that the property wasn't very clean. Dust / hooving etc. Then when you move out and they try to sting you for cleaning costs you can show that it wasn't clean when you moved in.

all_change

RabbitMad wrote: »

If their paperwork is this poor make sure you have original copies of everything they give you with their signatures on (especially contracts and inventories).

Also as a tip, when entering the property check the inventory very carefully and complain in writing that the property wasn't very clean. Dust / hooving etc. Then when you move out and they try to sting you for cleaning costs you can show that it wasn't clean when you moved in.

Thanks, happily the LL, not the LA, are doing a check-in in person with us when we go to the flat. We are always meticulous about inventories. We also have copies of everything in writing.