Top Ten Tips for landlords to avoid making insurance claims

Having insurance is a sensible way to protect yourself as a landlord against the financial cost of damage or liability claims. Still, it’s just as important to do everything you can to avoid having to claim the first place.

While insurance can save you money, making repairs and even the claims process can be time-consuming, not to mention cause disruption to both your and your tenants’ lives.

So here are ten things you can do to help reduce the chance of having to claim your landlord insurance:

1. Maintain the property well

The better condition the fabric of your property is in, the less liable it will be to damage. The occasional storm is inevitable, but if your guttering is adequately secured, the drains are clear, the roof tiles are all in place, and the brickwork and pointing are in good condition, the property should stand up well against the elements.

2. Go over and above with fire safety measures

Fire can be devastating, so even if it’s not required by law, renew your fire safety risk assessment every 1-2 years, have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher on every floor and put a fire safety blanket in the kitchen. While fire doors are only mandatory in HMOs, fitting them in single-let properties is worth considering, and mains-powered smoke alarms are more reliable than battery-powered ones.

3. Have recommended gas and electrical work carried out

When gas and electrical engineers carry out their inspections and tests for certification, they will sometimes make recommendations for work to be done. Even if it’s not essential to secure the certificate, it’s worth getting the work carried out to give you - and your tenant – peace of mind that the gas system and electrical installation are in the best possible condition.

4. Deter intruders by ensuring the property is secure

To minimise the risk of theft and vandalism, provide strong boundary fencing and good locks on all the doors and windows. Fit motion-activated security lights at the front and back of the property and cut back any shrubs that are near the house and could provide cover for an intruder.

5. Use a qualified agent to let the property and vet tenants

Of course, every landlord wants a good tenant who looks after the property and cares for the contents. Using a professional, qualified letting agent to find and properly reference an appropriate tenant should significantly reduce the chance of you having to claim for damage.

6. Ensure your tenant knows what to do in an emergency

When your tenant moves in, make sure they know where the mains stopcock and electrical fuse box are and how to turn off the water and electricity in an emergency, as that can be key to minimising damage to the property. And give them a list of emergency contact numbers for services and contractors that can respond 24/7, or make sure your letting agent does this for you.

7. Advise your tenant on how to avoid pipes bursting in the winter

One of the most common claims is for water damage caused by leaking and burst pipes. So, ensure all the pipework is properly lagged and remind your tenants to keep the heating on low during particularly cold snaps so water in the pipes doesn’t freeze. If they’re going away during the winter, it might be worth asking them to turn off the water supply at the stopcock and run a tap to empty the system.

8. Carry out periodical inspections

Some tenants keep their homes in excellent condition and are diligent about reporting minor issues before they become big problems – but others aren’t so proactive. As a landlord, you or your agent should visit the property every 6-12 months to ensure it’s being looked after and check the inside and outside thoroughly to see where maintenance and repairs might be necessary.

9. Check the property after bad weather

High winds, heavy rain and excessive snowfall, can damage the structure and fabric of your property. So it’s well worth checking that the property is intact after any period of bad weather and having repairs made as soon as possible before any damage has the chance to get worse.

10. Use tradespeople that are familiar with the legal requirements of buy to let

To be legally let, properties must meet specific standards, mainly concerning health and safety. There are gas, electrical and fire safety requirements, plus other building standards unique to rented properties, so make sure that any tradespeople, contractors and engineers that carry out work on the property know exactly what criteria must be met. An added advantage of using a local agent is that they have their own tradespeople who are already vetted, and this can save a lot of time and hassle when letting.

* Charles Foster is director at Bode Insurance Solutions *

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