By Steve Roulstone
The press is once again full of adverts for Landlord Insurance at the moment and apart from the fact that they mean Building Insurance for Landlords (as opposed to Landlord Insurance for Rent and Legal expenses) when this week a property we manage was involved in a fire for a second time in our Company’s History several important points were raised and although on this second occasion ours was the property next door to the one which caught fire, our systems and practises were put to the test. The fire started in a shed, but spread via the garden fence to the house and subsequently next door.
When Fire strikes.
The important point about any Building Insurance for any Landlord in a Management scenario is that the Managing Agent is aware of all the details and has copies of the policy to hand. This week we were made aware in the middle of Wednesday afternoon that a fire had broken out and quickly established that it was the neighbouring property that was being attended by the Fire Brigade. We visited site straight away, established that our Tenants were OK and started to deal with the problem without delay, because the Fire Brigade had advised us that they were unsure at that moment that they were going to be able to allow the Tenants to return that night for safety reasons. This of course presented several problems and both the Landlord and Tenants were relying on a quick reaction to sort the problem out.
Proper procedure.
This meant that we had to contact the Insurance Company and loss adjusters, confirm the policy, confirm we were able to act on the Landlords behalf, for which with a signed Landlord contract to hand, we were able to do in moments and confirm within under an hour, that should the Tenants need overnight accommodation, they were covered by the policy and made it known that the damage to our Landlords house was added to the inspection and subsequent damage costing by the loss adjuster on day one. Details of who to contact and how were sent in writing and by the end of the day (for which our staff once again have my thanks for staying until all had been dealt with and everybody advised) everybody knew where they stood and how the problem would be dealt with.
Timely reminder.
One of the big issues raised here, is the point emphasised in the current adverts that I mentioned above, because should this not have been a Landlords policy, then the insurers would not have provided accommodation for the Tenants and probably refused to cover the damage because the house was rented without their knowledge. As a Managing Agent, it is therefore important to both advise and ensure that all Landlords are aware of what they should advice their property Insurers and take out the correct policy for a rented property.
First time.
The first time we experienced was the actual property e managed and was caused by a chip pan, left unattended because of a phone call. Again thankfully nobody was injured and the correct cover and thankfully fire protection was in place and the Landlords even provided alternative accommodation for the Tenant until the property was re-built, which considering the reason for the fire in the first place, was a very responsible response. I know that the Tenant, who returned to the original home after the work was completed, has never cooked a chip at home, ever again!
Summary.
I trust we have now had our share of fire related incidents for another ten years, because the initial thought of possible injuries or casualties is something nobody wants to have to go through but without a doubt, our systems and practises came to the fore for all concerned in both instances and confirm that there is more to Residential Letting Agents than just finding a Tenant and moving people in and out of houses. Good practise and attention to detail may never be needed for individual properties, but when it is I know which side of the fence I would rather be on!
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