Tenant Insurance stuff

StuieUK34

Hi all,


Random question about tenants insurance, no major issue, just curiosity......

We have started the process to rent a house via a letting agent... (I've rented a few times in past 20 years via letting agents)..

The letting agent is asking for Rent + deposit 2 days before we sign the paperwork (they like BACS, and not modern things like card machines). The agent is: Michael Tuck in Gloucester, so not a small outfit....

Rent + deposit is normal, so am good with that, but here's the part I cant get my head round, don't like........ but 1 more piece of info from me first...

We have home insurance with the AA, which is Contents cover only, specifically for Tenants.....
The cover also includes upto £5000 cover for Landlord fixtures & fittings...
(the house has fitted wardrobes, fitted kitchen, in terms of a workstop surface, and has a fitted oven)...
The house is Unfurnished, no kitchen appliances or fitted washing machine...
The house is a new build as such, and is around 11yrs old.


Soooooooo.....
Letting agents say Rent + deposit, followed by "£155 extra if no proof of insurance" or just normal R+D if we have proof.
Their email says
"Michael Tuck Lettings like tenants to obtain and maintain a policy of insurance to provide a minimum of £10,000 of cover for accidental damage to the landlords contents, furniture, fixtures and fittings at the property as described in the inventory provided at the start of the tenancy (if applicable). If tenants provide the agent with a copy of the insurance certificate the deposit required is reduced. ""

I said to them, "as the house is unfurnished, there should be no landlord contents to insure".
I also stated that according to the rule book, "Buildings cover" is what insures fixtures & fittings, as they are non-removable items, such as fitted wardrobes and a fitted oven".

Contents cover, covers items that can be removed (like a Fridge, or non-intergrated washing machine)...

The agent has come back to me with:
""you can if you wish take a policy out to cover “Tenants Liability” which would cover accidental damage to landlords fixtures and fittings (e.g. spilling red wine on a carpet, dropping an hot iron on kitchen work surfaces etc).
If you provide proof of having such cover this will reduce the amount of deposit you would need to pay prior to the start of the tenancy. ""

Contents cover includes carpet, but ironing on a kitchen work surface ???????????? who does that? we use an ironing board!!
Either way, a kitchen work surface is not covered under contents cover, its covered under "buildings" cover due to being fitted...


So on that note, is the Letting Agent saying we need to get 'Buildings' cover for a building we don't own/maintain ?

We have a good policy with the AA for home insurance which has always been sufficient for what we need, but this letting agent just makes me think they are trying to squeeze another £155 out of us...
on each email, it says "we refer you to RentShield who do overpriced contents cover for tenants"....
Feels like were being sold a PPI style stuff!!

Thoughts ??

Pixie5740

A lot of letting agents seem to be trying this on with tenants. Let me guess, Michael Tuck Lettings offer just such as insurance policy which you can purchase. Even !!!! Turpin had the decency to wear a mask. The deposit is there to cover any damage over and above fair wear and tear and the insurance is overkill but provides the letting agency with another way to extract money from you.

Personally, I would arrange my own insurance policy (not via the letting agency), provide the letting agency with the required evidence, and then cancel the policy within the 14 day cooling off period.

capital0ne

StuieUK34 wrote: »

Contents cover includes carpet, but ironing on a kitchen work surface ???????????? who does that? we use an ironing board!!

Who Indeed would burn a work surface with a hot iron? Well I've rented my property out three times, and twice I had burn's in carpet with an iron - so it does happen.
Worst people to rent to - families with children - be prepared for a good trashing.
Best people to rent to - students, left my property in pristine condition after three years

Good luck

dacouch

Look at your AA Policy, it will amost certainly contain a section called "Tenants Liability.

It is normally in the same section as the other Liability covers

G_M

If your current AA policy does not satisfy the agent, find a policy elsewhere which

a) meets their requirements and
b) does not charge a cancellation fee (or a minimal one)

Buy it. Show agent the policy schedule. Get the tenancy set up, pay rent/deposit, obtain dual-signed tenancy agreement.

Then cancel the policy within the 14 day period for a full refund.

StuieUK34

Cheers all