Public Liability Insurance for working on our ex-council house

[Simon Reveley]

Hi all - we are replacing the kitchen in our house ourselves. My wife has been doing some training and apart from using an electrician for the wiring, we intend to do it all ourselves. It's pretty much just new for old in the same layout.

The house is ex-council which means it's still council freehold/our leasehold. I spoke to them about the work and they said we need Public Liability Insurance. I've had a look around but it all seems to be for businesses/self-employed. Is there a way to get this insurance as a private individual?

Full council text - I spoke to the council about it and they seem happy for us to do the work as long as we have the paperwork:

Although you are replacing you kitchen like for like, the Council have a duty to oversee any alteration, structural or non structural, to ensure the work is carried out to a satisfactory standard. The Council are responsible for safeguarding the building to ensure the safety of all residents. Therefore, in order for me to consider your request further, please provide the following: A specification of the proposed works including the material, design and details of the contractor you propose to carry out this work A method statement setting out how the contractors propose to carry out the works (i.e. times of work/ access requirements/ disposal of rubbish, etc.) A copy of the builders Public Liability Insurance (min. £5,000,000)

Thanks in advance

[bert]

In article , Simon Reveley writes

It is the builders PLI they are asking for not yours, so ask him for a copy. You will be provided with PLI under your household insurance.

[Martin Bonner]

What builder? That's the point; they don't have a builder.

The OP could try sending in the household insurance, and see if the council is happy with that.

To the OP: You say you are pretty much doing "like for like". The council has said they don't care in that case.

[Simon Reveley]

replying to bert, Simon Reveley wrote: That's just the point - there is no builder, just us.

[Simon Reveley]

replying to Martin Bonner, Simon Reveley wrote: Sadly it's the council who has the home insurance - we only have our own contents insurance, because the council is the freeholder of the block. As part of our contents insurance we have "personal liability and your liability as occupier of your home" but I assume that's different?

[David Lang]

The mistake was telling the bloody council in the first place.

[newshound]

But there *is* an electrician, which is probably what Bert meant to say.

[newshound]

I rather tend to agree!

[John Rumm]

Indeed. However given the starting point now, a quick chat with an insurance broker would probably sort something out. PLI is pretty cheap.

[fred]

Your first mistake was telling the council.

[GB]

I'm not at all sure that it is different. Give a copy to the council bod and let him work it out. However, the chances are that it is limited to less than £5m.

[Brian Gaff]

Hmm, I do recall that some time ago, I had public liability insurance added to my house insurance so I was covered up to a couple of million for anyone working in my property. I need cleaners, PA and Gardeners etc, It might be worth asking the company you cover the house with about how much it costs if it was to cover yourselves not just external persons coming in. In my view everyone needs this sort of insurance as otherwise in a wind somebody like the postman being hit on the head by a brick or tv aerial, could sue the pants off you. Brian

[Martin Bonner]

As said up-thread, the buildings insurance would usually cover any liability to the postman.

[David Lang]

I pay £11 a month for £2 million quids worth.

[DJC]

Well, maybe? but if you don't have insurance the ambulance chasers will have to do some work rather than tickle the insurance company and have them role over. If you havn't got insurance you may not be worth chasing.

[bert]

Ask your insurer for clarification - they are the only ones whose opinion matters.

[bert]

In article , Brian Gaff writes

IME public liability is always part of house building insurance BICBW

[bert]

Don't you believe it. The Communications Workers Union will be after you whatever.

[Andrew Gabriel]

If you are in an appartment block, you are often not permitted to have buildings insurance, because the management company or freeholder will have it, and there mustn't be more than one policy covering the same thing.