Insurance in a rented house

[Pat "5mph"]

What's your authority for that, Pat? I don't think it's correct.

Well, when the flat that I rent out had a boiler failure, it was deep winter, I provided the tenants with alternative accomodation, till I installed a new boiler. I thought I had to, because the flat was not fit to live in (no hot water, no heating)

 

[ASC1951]

Well, when the flat that I rent out had a boiler failure, it was deep winter, I provided the tenants with alternative accomodation, till I installed a new boiler. I thought I had to, because the flat was not fit to live in (no hot water, no heating)

Then you are a saint among landlords. I would have thought you could have got a new boiler fitted in two or three days and given them a free week's rent, personally.

I'm not saying a landlord shouldn't re-house, just that there is no obligation to do so (and therefore that the landlord's insurance would be unlikely to cover the cost, which was the OP's query).

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Then you are a saint among landlords. I would have thought you could have got a new boiler fitted in two or three days and given them a free week's rent, personally.

I'm not saying a landlord shouldn't re-house, just that there is no obligation to do so (and therefore that the landlord's insurance would be unlikely to cover the cost, which was the OP's query).

yes to all you said: it only took 2 days, and she got a week's free rent: but it was Christmas time the tenant has 2 young kids, I never considered my insurance, because of the astronomical excess, so I gave her a couple of hundred pounds to go to a b&b for the 2 days. I rather suspect she went to stay with her Mum instead
And I really thought it was my obligation, thanks for clarifying that.

 

[Archie_tect]

Nothing wrong with what you did Pat... I'd have been really grateful if I'd been in your tenant's situation... fantastic- instead of being an horrendous few days you'll have made her Christmas.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

He, he, and I just spent £ 380 for a tree surgeon: tenant was not getting any sun in her back garden
I am not moaning: she pays the rent promptly, no parties, no breakages. Could not ask for better tenant!

 

[Beebo]

Unlikely.

The building insurers have no contractual relationship with you. They are the landlord's insurers, so they only have to cover losses which the landlord would be liable for if he didn't have insurance. I have never seen a shorthold tenancy agreement which would oblige the landlord to find you somewhere else. You might be able to make a breach of contract/tort claim for incidental costs such as removals, but - see my last post - only if you can show that the landlord has actually been negligent.

I agree with ASC - if the property was uninhabitable the landlord would have no responsibility to rehouse you, but you would no longer be obliged to pay them rent so you would have that money to spend on another place.

Also, Contents insurance would usually provide some Alternative Accommodation cover which is another good reason to get Contents Insurance. Check your policy wording.