Landlord Question - Insurance

[AnythingConsidered]

Hi all,

Asking for a friend. For those of you who have a 2nd property- what insurance to do you?

Friend has a flat, which she rents out on a unfurnished basis. She pays building insurance through the Managing Agent but is asking if she needs content insurance in the basis it is let on an unfurnished basis. What do you do?

Her specific example is if there was a damage done to a wall (eg a shower leaks and damages the wall, floor/ceiling etc) would this be claimed on buildings or contents insurance?

Appreciate your help MN.

as far as I'm aware walls and floors are buildings, carpets and kitchens/bathrooms are contents.

Most landlord policies buildings policies Ive ever had include a minimum £3k of contents.

Sorry, just seen that its a flat, so all she has is the building insurance that the managing agent provides. First, I would check that policy is sufficient. And then, yes Id take out contents policies (with accidental damage) for approx £5k to cover carpets and any integral kitchen electricals or showers. Costs under £50 and is essential imo.

also recomend she looks at rent insurance and home call out or boiler cover.

As far as I know, if you are a landlord you need specific landlords insurance - it is different - google it. Furnished / unfurnished doesnt matter.

She needs landlord's buildings cover. This will cover fitted kitchens and bathrooms (they are not classed as contents if they are fixed to the building. Integrated white goods are also part of the bolding). The tenant should then take out their own contents insurance policy for their belongings and many insurers will cover landlord's carpets under this as long as your friend writes it into the tenancy agreement that the tenant is responsible for covering them. She should ask to see a copy of the insurance policy showing this.

*building

She needs landlord contents, malicious damage cover and legal expenses cover that pays out even if tenant not in arrears. And rent guarantee cover if they are.

All cover must of course be landlord specific. Normal insurance won't do.

Thank you everybody. Really appreciate the help.