LUCA
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Hi, I have a one bed terraced bungalow (part of a block of 8 in converted outbuildings) which is is leasehold and the freeholder arranges the building insurance.
In the freeholders service charge accounts he has mentioned that all occupants should have their own contents insurance. The exact wording is: 'It is important that you take out comprehensive contents insurance cover to include third party liability cover.'
I had explained to my tenant at the beginning of the tenancy that she would need contents insurance and assumed she had arranged this. However, as the property was almost flooded recently, I asked the tenant directly if she had contents insurance and she said she couldn't get insurance due to being in a flood risk area. The property has never flooded, although it did come very close this year. I have just got quotes from a comparison site and contents insurance is indeed available for around £100/yr.
Does anyone know if there is a legal requirement for tenants to have contents insurance? Is it enforceable? I was going to show her the quotes and show her the part of the service accounts which states she should have it. I have a good relationship with her, which I don't want to spoil, but she is a bit slow in getting things like this sorted often wanting it to be done for her as she says she struggles with technology etc etc. I am due to also increase the rent soon so don't want to overload her with bills all at once so was going to try to make sure the insurance is sorted and then tackle the rent increase in a few months time..... or even perhaps pay for it and just increase the rent accordingly - although I'd need to be careful how I word that!
Any advice would be appreciated!
Many thanks!
