Q&A - Home Contents Insurance 

The reason I ask is that a leak occurred a while ago from a boiler in a top floor flat causing a small but significant ingress of water into the flat below resulting in minor damage to the ceiling (coving and water stains).

The owners of the top floor (which is a let flat) say that they have no contents insurance. Would it depend on whether the flat concerned is furnished or unfurnished?

ANSWER

There is no legal requirement for a flat owner in a block of flats to carry home contents insurance however the circumstances described, should under normal circumstances, be covered under the buildings insurance for the block itself.

Buildings Insurance is normally arranged by the resident management company/committee for the block either directly with insurers via a broker or through a managing agent.

It isn’t unusual however for blocks of flats where portions have been unoccupied for more than 30 days, to have cover restricted under the terms and conditions of the policy wording, in particular for malicious damage and/or escape of water.

It really is dependent on the insurer concerned.

John Batty, Director of Technical Services, Bridge Insurance