Who is on the hook for flood damage to tenants’ possessions?

Please say the tenant had contents insurance?

If not this is the answer I got from Jason our insurance expert in answer to a landlord’s question about a tenant that was refusing to pay for contents insurance and was worried about what happens in case of fire or flood etc.

“The tenant is responsible for their own possessions. You do not own them and therefore cannot insure them. I’d advise you tell the tenant to get tenant contents insurance. Typically it costs £100 or less for £10,000 of cover per year, so it is affordable. If they don’t and there is a blaze, they will most likely end up having to replace everything themselves.

There is an argument if a fire started by someone else causes the damage they can claim on that persons policy if negligence is proved. But without tenants contents insurance they will have to pay their own solicitor fees if it is contested.”

Reply to the comment left by Neil Patterson at 21/02/2018 – 08:29
It’s probably worth saying that we should all have LLs insurance and cover for our furniture, carpets etc that’s not covered by buildings insurance.
A friend recently had a drunk tenant put her arm through a glass pane in an internal door and claim compensation for her badly cut arm as wired glass should have been fitted. Without LL insurance the costs could have run to many thousands

I have a flat at the top of a high rise flat. The roof had a leak, and was fixed, but the floor (and flat below) continued to feel wet. Eventually I discovered a (hidden) dripping washing machine connection. Had it continued and caused further, and serious damage, who would be to blame? The building had its own insurance. The tenant had contents insurance. Should I have a belt and braces cover as well?

You should always have landlords insurance and check what it covers. Malicious damage is more difficult and costly.

Check out >> https://www.property118.com/insurance-landlords/