Washing Machine leak - whose insurance?

GrayumSheffield

I live in a new block of flats, renting part-furnished.

The washing machine in my flat (not mine, came with the flat) shook the cold water pipe off its back, which chucked water everywhere. Turns out the plumber who installed it left on the transit bolts, causing it to over-vibrate. Water went all through my flat, and the flat next door.

Anyway, the builders/contracters took responsibility, paid for cleaning up etc. in both flats.

Trouble is, next door's laptop was damaged. Their contents insurance doesn't cover it. The builders/contracters have said they need to go through my insurance to claim some money.

Is this correct? And as I don't have contents insurance, what is my position?

Any advice anyone can offer will be gratefully received!

Debt_Free_Chick

Have you told the Landlord?

morg_monster

Surely since it isn't your washing machine, your insurance wouldn't entertain a claim caused by it's faults? (even if you had contents insurance!)
Your landlord should have a policy to cover his possessions in the flat. This should include the washing machine either if he put it there, or if it was part of a perk from the builders when the flat was bought new.

BUT. Personally I would question that the builders/contractors insurance doesn't cover this, I think it should? What if shoddy workmanship caused a fire and wrecked a few homes? Surely they have some kind of liability insurance? It is THEIR fault, NOT yours, and also NOT your landlords even if he owns the machine. I really think your next door neighbour should be getting their insurance people to press the builders' insurers rather than anyone else.

hellokitty08

I have worked in several letting agencies and we always used to advise Landlords never to leave anything other then the minimum required (an Oven) in a rental property as if anything goes wrong with it, the Landlord is responsible. So its totally the Landlords responsability, not yours at all, although i would always advise you to get insurance. Its only about £8 a month in you live is a smallish flat. (Well actually i suppose that depends on where you live, but ive only ever paid this)

GrayumSheffield

Thanks all for responding so quickly!

It's reassuring to hear that, as I thought, it's not really anything to do with me/my insurance. I'll just have to explain that gently to my next door neighbour, and hope she doesn't think I'm trying to get out of anything!

It was actually my landlord (well, managing estate agent) who discovered it, so they know what's going on! And yes, insurance is always to be recommended, I'll just, erm, plead extenuating circumstances!

Thanks again