To Let

Cold snap could prove costly for landlords

Posted on 11. Jan, 2010 by Matthew Carter in The HomeLet blog

With temperatures well below freezing point, now is the time when pipes are most at risk of bursting and boilers of breaking down thanks to increased usage. Besides the cost of repairs, if the burst pipe or damaged water tank is in the attic water can cascade though the house bringing down ceilings and causing thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.

Landlords may also have to deal with the inconvenience of being called by the tenant late at night or at the weekend, and the difficulty and expense of having to find and call out a reputable emergency contractor at short notice.

HomeLet specialist landlords buildings and contents policies include Emergency Assistance as standard, which means landlords are covered for emergencies arising from plumbing and drainage, electricity supply, cooking systems, security, lost keys and roofing, down piping and guttering at no extra cost.

Managing Director of HomeLet John Boyle explained: “Many homeowners don’t realise the importance of protecting their homes against freezing conditions, and landlord’s properties – particularly those which are unoccupied – are even more susceptible. Which is why our Emergency Assistance insurance covers a landlords property even if its unoccupied for up to for up to 30 days.

“We are undergoing the most prolonged spell of freezing we’ve had since December 1981 and this, combined with research from Which? revealing that nearly one in three new boilers breaks down within the first six years of operation, means that landlords can’t afford to take the risk of being uninsured.”

Also see http://www.homemove.co.uk/news/12-01-2010/landlord-winter-insurance-reminder.html

Tags: Boiler & heating systems cover, Emergency Assistance, freezing, John Boyle, Landlord's Insurance+, Landlords, Renting