House insurance

[The Natural Philosopher]

As sems to be well known, I have not lived in my house for over three yesars, after being driven out by a concerted campaign of domestic abuse from a mentally ill very nearly ex-wife.

I have maintained insurance on te property as its in my name.

Now I have got a court judgement to pay the ex off and get her out, the lawyers raised the prospect of malicious damage.

In order to buy her out I will have to mortgage the property and rent it out at least till I can find a way to make a shitload of money. Or sell it.

This however is what the unhelpful insurers say:

"Following our telephone conversation, I have spoken with our Underwriters in regards to your policy for xxxxxxxxx

We are unable to transfer this across to our Landlord?s policy until the property is occupied by a tenant and not by your ex-wife.

I did check the cover we provide and Theft or Malicious damage by the tenant would be excluded under our Landlord?s policy as well. "

I know there are people who rent out property here. Is this normal? If your tenant trashes the place you can't claim?

[spuorgelgoog]

If you're prepared to pay the premium (and shop around comparing policies) you can get cover for just about anything, including non-payment of rent.

Most landlord insurance will require the tenant to be on a standard type of tenancy with a deposit in one of the protection schemes, etc.

Owain

[Andrew Gabriel]

There are specialist insurers for landlords and holiday homes. I used one for a family house between death and sale, as that wasn't covered by regular insurance. We weren't letting it, but it had options to cover whatever you like right up to loss of letting income if you are letting it. Of course, the more things you tick, the more you pay.

I don't think any insurance will pay for deliberate damage by a family member though, divorced or not. Don't know if there's any way to do it, but a better bet would be for your ex's payment to be reduced for all damage which happens to the house from the date of the hearing or valuation survey until departure, so it's not in her interests to trash it.

[GB]

When MIL died, the beneficiaries decided to rent out her house. They used a specialist firm, Rentguard Ltd, who seem to know their stuff.

There was a period whilst the place was being refurbed that the standard landlord's policy was not available, and they had a different policy in force - all arranged by Rentguard, who probably got two lots of commission that year.

The policy does not cover malicious damage or theft by the tenant. However, my understanding is that it does cover arson by the tenant. That seems okay to me. The beneficiaries can afford to self-insure a bit of damage by the tenant.

[Tim Watts]

Try Fresh Insurance - they front to a load of very specialist insurers (unoccupied, landlord, holiday homes, that sort of thing). Used them in probate and they seem very helpful.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Unfortunately my lawyers reckon the chances of gettimng a judge to agree to that are zero.

[The Natural Philosopher]

yep. I am on two months deposit here.

[Fredxx]

Perhaps better wording is required, something like "the house will be left in good condition as indicated by these photos".