HELP!! Problems with insurers after a flood.

AllyMacPhee

I’m hoping someone might be able to help or advise myself and my family as we are desperate!
I live, together with my 15 & 17 year old sons, at my dads house with him. My dad who is nearly 80 unfortunately has been pretty unwell in the past 5 years, surviving 4 heart attacks, 3 strokes and consequently has epilepsy. For the past few years he has been unable to take care of things as he’s always done, so things like home insurance I’ve been doing on his behalf. 

On 3rd October we were flooded. We are fully insured with a non standard policy due to a previous flood 11 years ago. Loss adjusters were appointed and eventually, 3 weeks later came out to make an initial report. It has taken until today (3rd November) to even initiate the clear up, with a ‘carpet cleaning company’ (???!!!) who came and removed some carpets. 

We know that we will have to be out the house for a minimum of 6 months and we cannot find anywhere at all to live. They have suggested a static caravan in the drive for myself and eldest son while my dad and my youngest son stay in the house. This is absolutely not acceptable with my dads health and we can’t be split up as I look after him. We know walls have to come down and floors up, and I seem to be having to constantly tell them all this! 

Obviously dad is at high risk of covid, he’s not good with being moved about - we are currently staying in a hotel (which is quite cost prohibitive) but have to come back to the house each day as there’s no cooking facilities at the hotel. 

I know things are made harder by the pandemic but this is a completely different experience to that of 11 years ago, and I feel at every stage they are trying to minimise the claim. 

It took a month to even confirm we were fully covered, including for temporary accommodation. 
I have never dealt with this kind of stuff before, my dad handled everything and didn’t discuss it with me! So I feel very under confident and unassertive which probably doesn’t help. 

I would be so grateful for any advice at all - am I expecting too much? I would have thought a building surveyor at the very least should be appointed inspect the house, surely the longer it’s left there is potential the damage could be greater? To date dad has spent a vast amount of money on emergency accommodation on the only hotel anywhere near the vicinity (my youngest son is still at school) that has availability. 

As it stands the couple of like for like properties that have come on the rental market and I’ve enquired about, I have just had negative responses from agents saying landlords do not want to rent for just 6 months. 

So we seem well and truly stuck, and I don’t seem to be getting any kind of guidance or help from anyone let alone the loss adjusters, and with lockdown here in Scotland looming and Christmas on the not too distant horizon the weeks and months ahead seem very grim. 

Thank you for reading. 

Alison. 

HampshireH

Are you telling the agent because they aren't offering anything less than a 12 month contract?

Find a different agent. When I rented I only ever started on a 6 month contract.

I get landlords was tenant security but likewise 12 months is a long time under the current financial situation of many and a lot of landlords wouldn't want to risk tying people in long term

Edit : just read you are in Scotland - I don't know if renting is different there. May be worth posting a shorter version of his query housing specific on the housing board