Do I have to pay if the house burns down?

Question

I'm renting (UK) and wonder if I had to pay anything in case of fire. The contract we have with the company that owns and rents this says nothing about fire damage.

Who needs to pay for

b) fire damage on house

c) damage from fire fighting (e.g. water damage) on documents, furniture etc

d) cost for fire brigade

e) other costs

I'm also not too clear on who has to pay what if the fire was partly caused by us (e.g. through candle fire.

Any advise wheather it is wise to take up insurance would be greatly appreciated...

Many thanks!

Answer 1

If you burn down the house his insurance will cover the fire and associated damage. Your rental agreement may place extra responsibilities on you for damage etc but these are most likely limited to a deposit or small amount.

If you have a Household contents policy it will cover your family liability so, if in the unlikely event you are held responsible for the fire and the courts award against you, your insurers will cough up under the personal liability section.

xxFJ

Answer 2

The actual owner of the house is responsible for insuring the house, unless it specifically states in the tenancy agreement that the tenants are responsible for insuring the house. You however are responsible for insuring your own contents - you can not insured anyone else's contents, only your own.

Answer 3

Ask your insurance company they will know the specifics

Answer 4

I am an ex Underwriter. Go and see an agent/broker asap and get insurance. Explain your concerns precisely and make sure everything you discuss with the agent/broker is documented i.e. in writing.The small print in insurance documents is hard to understand and insurance companies expect you to read them and know what you are covered for.If you do not understand your insurance coverage you could be denied indemnity when you present a claim. Get insurance anyway as  you could end up bankrupt if you are adjudged to have caused major damage. All big insurance companies have policies that provide coverage for tenants. Damage you cause to the property should be covered under the Tenants Legal Liabiliity clause and any injuries to visitors covered by Third party legal liability.

I' ve been out of the business a while but the info I have given you should still hold true.

Answer 5

The house will be covered by the owner, you have to get separate insurance for your own goods.

Tenant insurance, Endesleigh are quite good.

Doesn't matter how a fire starts, as long as it is not deliberate!

Answer 6

It all depends on the contract you have with your landlord.

Usually, as the landlord owns the property he/she will insure the structure (house).

If the house is let as furnished then the furniture and fittings may well be insured.

If you have your own furniture then you would have to insure it yourself - contents insurance.

Any personal effects that you have should be insured by you under contents insurance.

The same thing applies to documents.

Water damage to the building would be covered by the landlords policy under a condition called 'proximate cause' which basically means that the damage was caused as a result of dealing with another insured risk.

I'm not sure what you mean by a fire being 'partially caused by us' if it was a candle fire you would be totally responsible for the fire - you lit the candle - you left it unattended you therefore would be responsible.

It is important that you realise that you have a 'duty of care' to the owner of the house e.g. you can not store unreasonable amounts of flammable material within the house.

Best advice is you look at the rental agreement (and I do hope you've got one -either with the landlord or his agent) and then get some insurance cover for your contents within the house.