It is a Landlord’s obligation to look after their own buildings along with the wellbeing of their renters. I have recently instructed a complete survey of my homes after I learned that a nearby Property owner was being sued for a personal injury claim after the high winds this year. I hope he has sufficient property owners and public liability insurance. I met him at last year’s Landlords exhibit in London where we began talking after realising we both had homes in St Albans. The two of us grew to become friends and meet up quite regularly. A week ago, he informed me of a predicament he has with one of his tenants after they got hurt from a falling roof tile. The renter is actually now suing him for damages pertaining to harm to themselves as well as damage to their car, which was parked out the front. He told me how the renter had left the property to attend work during the substantial winds and while he was standing at the vehicle the gusts of wind lifted a few tiles which in turn slid from the roof. His tenant was injured by the plummeting roof tiles and is currently away from work. On top of hitting his renter he’s claimed for harm to his vehicle because the tiles dented the bonnet as well as cracked the windshield.

Landlord’s Insurance
I was not shocked the renter was suing the property owner, but did feel sorry for him as he was a pal. However, he confesses that he hadn’t recently checked the rooftop of the property which had been constructed in the Eighties and said had he done this, he might have noticed that some of the roof tiles needed care. This motivated me to contact my insurance broker and even tell him the story. My broker informed me that it could happen and concluded that I should arrange for my own properties (of a similar age) to be checked out. He suggested a company he has used before pertaining to roof damage claims and so i contacted them to get a survey. Fortunately the roofs of my homes happen to be in very good condition for their era and only needed minimal maintenance. I’m still glad that I talked to my landlord friend and learned from his bad luck. I am hoping I have been able to steer clear of a claim on my landlord and public liability insurance. My insurance broker was a real aid because he explained the significance, what I was covered for and suggested the survey. If you’re worried about your own properties, confer with your insurance broker and make sure you frequently maintain your properties to avoid claims similar to this.

Landlord’s insurance