block of flats landlord insurance

Guide on landlord insurance for a block of flats*

Purpose-built blocks, as well as house conversions often represent a significant investment for landlords, freeholders, investors/developers, property management companies, and the likes.

• That's why you need an appropriate cover to protect your investment against the unexpected. A block of flats can't be insured by the standard landlord insurance as there are much more areas of insurance to consider.
  
  
• On the other hand, having multiple landlord insurance policies for each property will just be too expensive. This is where a landlord insurance block of flats comes in. It can provide financial protection against range perils, as discussed below.
  
  
• This policy is usually provided on a reinstatement basis, meaning the insurer will restore the building to its original state before the insured event occurred.

What's covered with a block of flats insurance?

First off, every block of flats insurance needs are not the same, and there's no 'one cover fits all' policy. There are two types of flats: houses that have been converted into flats and purpose-built flats.

This means that insurance policies may differ.

Luckily, insurers often tailor this policy to one's requirements so they are covered only for what they need, and not end up paying for a cover they don't need.

That being said, here's what standard block of flats insurance policy will typically cover:

The physical building: A block of flats is a large space that is likely to incur damage at any time. Plus, tenants expect you to complete any necessary repairs as fast as possible. This policy will pay for structural damage due to an insured peril.

Some of the common perils include fire, theft, impact by vehicles or animals, lightning, water damage, theft, vandalism, etc. A total loss is the worst nightmare, but one you must prepare for. This policy will pay for the replacement of your flats in case they are completely destroyed by a covered peril.

Alternative accommodation: If your property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril, this policy will cover the cost of finding alternative accommodation for our tenant(s).

Property owners' liability: Covers you against any liability charges made against you due to your negligence as the flat owner/landlord/manager.

Employers' liability: Covers any persons employed to clean or maintain the flats.

Flats' contents: If you rent out your flat with furnishings, fixtures, fittings, and the likes, the policy will cover your contents against insured risks.

Communal contents: Covers items in the communal area, which ensures no ambiguity with communal spaces.

Loss of rent due to unoccupancy following an insured risk

Optional extras

Additional risks can also be covered on request at additional cost, of course.

This includes legal expenses, terrorism, engineering damage, floods, subsidence, lift inspection and breakdown insurance, accidental damage, and so on.

Conditions to look out for

Some block of flats insurance policies are derived from generic property owners' policies and don't contain enough wording to meet landlords needs.

Here are a few key areas you should watch out for:

• Types and percentages of occupants the policy covers
  
  
• Does the unoccupancy section have enough wording to cover you due to unavoidable circumstances?
  
  
• Policy warranties/conditions: Ensure they are practical
  
  
• Inspection of unoccupied flats
  
  
• The amount of cover for alternative accommodation –consider the fact that flats differ in sizes
  
  
• Flats can take several months or years to rebuild. Does the policy have a time limit on the period of indemnity?
  
  
• Availability of loss of rent cover
  
  
• Waste storage and removal cover

This is simply a guide; it's important to read and understand your policy before committing to it.

Your options*

1. Compare landlord insurance for a block of flats and find the right policy.
   
   
2. Or go to our homepage for more insurance comparisons.

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