Landlord insurance - landlords should aim to prevent burst pipes as big thaw

Landlords that are keen on avoiding have to claim on their landlords insurance policy because of leaks caused by a burst pipes should read the advice given by landlord insurance broker Hamilton Fraser.

Steve Barnes, Property and Claims Manager, said:


“Escaping water from burst pipes can cause considerable damage and inconvenience. By taking some simple precautions property owners can reduce the risk of a claim, and whilst much of it is common sense or indeed standard practice to the experienced landlord the following actions could make a difference!”

Hamilton Fraser has issued the following advice:


• Make sure you and your tenants know where your main stop tap is and check that it turns easily.
• Make sure pipes and tanks in your roof space are lagged. Where the loft has been insulated, less heat gets into the roof space and pipes can freeze more easily.
• In very cold weather, you could instruct your tenants to open the loft hatch to allow heat into the loft space. This will help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Advise tenants to keep doors between heated and unheated rooms open, and where possible, cupboard doors open below sinks to allow warm air to circulate.
• Seal any holes or gaps that may be letting cold air into your property.
• Check roofs, chimneys and gutters for unsafe tiles, cracks, leaks and blockages. Check that down pipes and supporting brackets are also secure. Clear drain gratings of leaves and debris to allow water to drain quickly as temperatures rise and the thaw begins.
• Make sure water supply to any external taps is turned off, drain down any water in the pipe and disconnect any hoses.
• If you or your tenant discovers a frozen pipe don’t wait for it to burst. Turn off the water supply and slowly thaw the affected pipe by introducing gentle heat to the area e.g. hair dryer, space heater, hot water bottle. DO NOT attempt to thaw the pipe with a blow torch or other open flame such as a cigarette lighter or matches.

If your property is unoccupied
• Keep the heating on a low constant heat or make sure the system and all of its components have been fully drained by a plumbing professional - or it will freeze.
• Check on your property as regularly as you possibly can. If you do have a burst pipe early identification of escaped water can help reduce the cost of the damage.
• Ensure you have complied with any un-occupancy conditions listed in your policy. Remember that, for example, regular inspections might be a condition of your insurance policy and failure to do so could affect settlement of your claim. If you have any questions regarding an un-occupied property call us on 0845 310 6300.
Emergency Action if disaster strikes
• Turn off the stop tap to prevent further flooding
• Block any escaping water with a towel
• Open all taps to reduce flooding and pressure on the system
• Turn off the source for hot water and central heating
• Can your tenant contact you in an emergency? If not you might consider providing your tenant with the number of a reputable contractor who could respond quickly and undertake emergency repairs to prevent further damage
• Contact us immediately to report your claim. Our advisers are ready to assist. Call 0845 310 6300 or report a claim on our website www.hamiltonfraser.co.uk

If customers need any advice or would like to report a claim they
can contact Hamilton Fraser on 0845 310 6300 or go to their website www.hamiltonfraser.co.uk.

DEMAND FOR INSURANCE DOUBLES

Thanks to the launch of its new Tenants Contents Insurance + product and
increased demand, HomeLet has managed to double the number of policies sold
in just six months.

What’s more, since 2006 HomeLet has referenced over 1 million tenants,
proving it is still the market-leading provider of specialist insurance
products and services to the UK lettings industry.

In September 2009 HomeLet sold over double the amount of tenants contents
insurance policies when compared to January 2009, with an increase of 121
per cent.

This increase indicates that tenants, who have tended to overlook buying
tenants contents insurance in the past, are seeing renting as a more
long-term commitment rather than a temporary stop gap.

Also, since the onset of the recession and the resulting increase in the
cost of living and rise in unemployment, the number of burglaries has also
gone up. Tenants, who are feeling the pinch along with everyone else, have
become more aware of the value of their possessions and the cost of
replacing them.

landlord insurance - specialist products - discounted

In June HomeLet launched Tenants Contents Insurance + which is designed
specifically to protect tenants against the potential risks of renting a
property.

As well as being competitively priced, the new product still provides
specialist cover that protects the tenant’s deposit by providing cover for
accidental damage to the landlord’s contents, building, fixtures and
fittings up to the value of £2,500.

Tenants Contents Insurance + also covers the policyholder and two additional
tenants who are named on the tenancy agreement, as long as they’re employed,
self employed or retired. This means that one policy can cover three tenants
saving money and making it ideal for sharers.

HomeLet’s Managing Director John Boyle said: “HomeLet has been providing
tenants contents insurance for over a decade and we’re constantly improving
the products that we provide to our customers to ensure that we stay ahead
of the market.

“We are delighted to have achieved a 121 per cent increase between January
and September 2009 and this is testament to our commitment to providing
comprehensive cover at competitive prices.”

New rent guarantee insurance launched

The National Landlords Association has launched ‘NLA rent guarantee insurance', an insurance package for landlords and helpline support specifically designed for NLA members who face increasing pressure from tenancy disputes and rental arrears.

Rent guarantee insurance - best rates

RGI has been developed for the NLA by specialist legal expenses provider Arc Legal Assistance through the NLA's insurance broker Hamilton Fraser Insurance.

According to the NLA, 1 in 3 landlords have tenants in rental arrears.

Paul Berwick, head of marketing, NLA said: "The level of these arrears is heavily influenced by the current economic climate. Many of our members are landlords with large property portfolios who are likely to face greater exposure to rent arrears."

Richard Finan, director of Arc Legal added: "This is a clear indication of how this sector of the landlord market has adapted its business model to provide more support and assistance in difficult financial times."

RGI covers six and twelve month tenancies and has been developed to complement the NLA's new tenant referencing service.

NLA members also have access to a specialist 24/7 technical legal helpline provided by Arc Legal's panel solicitors which sits alongside the NLA's in-house advice line for members.

This landlord insurance package extends Arc Legal's relationship with the NLA, which also provides professional fees and tenancy deposit protection cover to mydeposits, a joint venture between Hamilton Fraser and the NLA.

NLA launches rent guarantee insurance

Research from the National Landlords’ Association (NLA) indicates that almost three quarters of private residential landlords have experienced rent arrears, with 43% of this group reporting arrears being incurred in the last 12 months.

To offset this risk, the NLA has launched rent guarantee insurance with a policy that includes legal expenses cover and a dedicated 24-hour advisory service.

The new offering is available to all UK residential property landlords.

NLA chairman, David Salusbury, comments: “Landlords may not realise they can protect themselves against rental arrears, but our research clearly shows there is a need to safeguard your rental income.”

He adds: “Unfortunately we aren’t out the woods with the economy just yet, and thanks to redundancy and unemployment some tenants are struggling to pay their rent.”

'No deposit insurance' brings benefits for landlords and tenants

Paragon Landlord Insurance is promoting the “no deposit insurance", where a tenant pays a one-off premium for an insurance policy, instead of a large value monetary rental deposit.

This can help tenants such as student tenants who are struggling to access funds to pay for traditional, up front cash deposits combined with rents in advance.

This specialist landlord insurance facility enables a landlord to claim on the insurance policy if they need to claim back any losses that would usually of been paid out from the monies that formed a traditional rental deposit.

Quotes from landlord insurance brokers

Landlords should explain the insurance situation for students who are first time tenants

Landlords need to realise that many students are ignorant to the extent that a landlords insurance policy provides cover to them as tenants.

According to landlord insurance provider, Direct Line, most students wrongly presume that a landlords insurance will provide cover for them in the case of burglary.

Direct Line report that many tenants are shocked when they realise that their landlords insurance provides no cover for their belongings as tenants.

The landlord insurance broker recommends that landlords point this our top new student tenants, especially those who are renting for the first time.

Pet insurance suitable for landlord and tenants

Petpals Direct, the pet insurance specialist, has recently launched a new pet insurance policy that could make life easier for estate agents and letting agents across the UK.

Perfect for smoothing deal-breaking situations where a landlord is not as keen on pets as the potential tenant, TenantCare Cat and TenantCare Dog insurance from Petpals Direct can be taken out by the pet-owner to insure against property damage the pet may cause to the rented accommodation.

Designed specifically for tenants living with cats or dogs, it is the only product of its kind on the market. Not only does it insure against property damage caused by the pet, it also includes cover for common types of accident and illness.

With prices starting from just £5.17 per month for cat insurance, based on a six month old moggy living in Derby, or from £8.42 per month for dogs, based on a six month old Jack Russell living in Blackburn, the insurance offers a cost-effective way for tenants to secure the house of their dreams and cover expensive vet bills.

Tenant pet insurance from Petpals Direct offers peace of mind to tenants who are familiar with the high costs of moving. The policy allows tenants to claim £700 if there is damage caused by the pet during the first 36 months of occupancy, and £500 thereafter.

In addition to the property damage cover, there is also £1500 of vet fee cover for cats in a number of specific illness and accident categories.

These include: infectious diseases, cancer, feline lower urinary tract disease, feline asthma, diabetes mellitus, foreign body ingestion, bone fractures, defined poison ingestion, feline high-rise syndrome, bite wounds and bite wound abscesses, and burns. There is immediate cover with no waiting period, and no upper age limit. So, feline friends of all ages are welcome.

For dog insurance the limit for vet fees is £2000 per illness and accident category, which include: infectious diseases, cancer, digestive aliments, ear problems, heart disease, foreign body ingestion, bone fractures, defined poison ingestion, allergic reaction to insect bites, bite wounds and lacerations, burns and motor vehicle accidents. Again, there is immediate cover with no waiting period, and no upper age limit.

For quotations, terms and conditions, and full details of TenantCare Cat and TenantCare Dog, agents, tenants and landlords can contact Petpals Direct on 0800 328 9847 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, by email enquiries@petpalsdirect.com, or at http://www.petpalsdirect.co.uk/