Tenancy agreement query

johnnytee

Hi all
A friend of mine is next weekend is moving into rented acommodation. On the tenancy agreement it stipulates that she must have contents insurance - is this normal, can landlords do this? Is my friend legally bound to comply?

catlover1_2

No idea sorry ... but i rent and have never had contents insurance can't see the need don't have any electircal stuff of any value ( only a TVthat was £80 6 years ago) I am assuming Sky box etc would be replaced by SKy.

The only stuff of value is the furniture and clothes and that could be replaced over time

thesaint

No. thesaint

Becks045

Your landlord as a min should have buildings insurance, well they have to legally if the property is mortgaged. Personally, with our rental properties I we have contents insurance as well.

However if you are broken in to etc and yoour belongings are stolen such as TV's, computers, clothes etc then it is the tenants responsibility so I would advise your friend to take out contents insurance.

kunekune

Is the flat furnished, or does it contain some things that would be covered by contents rather than buildings insurance?

Our LA required us to sign to say that we were aware that contents insurance was our responsibility and that we had responsibility for some items in the house, such as the fridge and washing machine. I wouldn't like to be without insurance anyway, there are all sorts of reasons why it might be needed. You say you don't have much: but what if you had to replace all of it at once?

johnnytee

The flat is unfurnished, therefore the contents are the responsibility of the tenant. If the tenant wishes to take out insurance that is up to them surely.Why the landlord stipulates this in the tenancy agreement I can't fathom.

Guy_Montag

I was looking at renting through an agency - in small print at the bottom of the t's&c's was that I was supposed to have contents insurance

moneysavinmonkey

My new lettings agents tried to sell me their contents insurance and when i said i didn't want it I had to sign a slip stating that I would make my own arrangements.

MrShed

You cannot force a tenant to take out contents insurance. It is obviously advisable for them to do so. However, the reason landlords attempt to do this is to ensure that certain damages can be reclaimed in this fashion. However, it is of no relevance to the landlord how damages are paid for, as long as they are paid.

Gorgeous_George

I have LLs insurance which includes a small amount of contents for my property. I make it clear to my tenant that my insurance is for me and does not cover damage caused by their neglect, mis-use or that of their guests, pets and children.

Once bitten twice shy.

GG

Debt_Free_Chick

Contents insurance would be advisable - apart from insuring one's own possessions, the right policy would also insure the landlords possessions, including fixtures & fittings, in the case that they are damaged by the tenant.

e.g. tenant's washing machine fails, leaks & ruins the floor covering ....... tenant's insurance would pay to replace the LL's floorcovering.

Mr Shed is right - the tenant could choose not to insure and simply pay any damages. But I can understand the LL wanting piece of mind, otherwise how does he know that the tenant has the means to pay? And what if the cost of rectifying the damage is thousands?

I pay £14 pm for tenant's insurance - hardly expensive.