Category: Landlords Insurance

Inventory protects landlords

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A landlord’s inventory should list all the contents of a rental property and document the condition of the property itself and each item. Designed to monitor the condition of the property/items before a tenant moves in and just before a tenant leaves, so it can be made clear what damages, if any, need to be paid for.

Preparing an inventory

The Landlord, Letting Agent or an Independent Inventory Clerk should prepare the Inventory which should be agreed with the tenant on move-in day. The Landlord/Agent and tenant(s) should sign the Inventory and initial every page to signify agreement. It is recommended that  valuable items such as cookers and washing machines should be photographed, so there is no question of their condition.

The final inventory check at the end of tenancy

Ideally, on move out day the landlord should do a final inventory check. The inventory must be checked and agreed with the tenant before the deposit being returned.

It’s imperative that the inventory is checked immediately before the tenant leaving, so there can be no argument about any damage occurring after the tenant has gone. The deposit should only be handed back within 7 to 14 days if there are no outstanding issues when the inspection is complete.

What happens if items have been damaged?

If there’s a general consensus between the parties on what has been damaged, then estimates should be drawn up for repairs/replacements. The tenant should be informed of all the costs in writing and amounts of deductions from the deposit.

If the deposit doesn’t cover the amount needed to carry out the repairs, an invoice itemising all costs involved for additional payments should be sent to the tenant. If the tenant is insured, this evidence should be provided for the insurance company.

What if the parties Cannot Agree?

If the parties cannot reach agreement as to which items have been damaged, the severity of the damage, the repair or replacement costs etc, then great care should be taken in:

  • recording the state and condition with photographs
  • obtaining estimates and repair or replacement costs
  • informing the tenant/landlord in writing

Disputes over these matters may eventually need to be solved through arbitration by a third party – most usually, the Small Claims Court.

If you need to create an inventory visit

A landlord’s inventory should list all the contents of a rental property and document the condition of the property itself and each item. Designed to monitor the condition of the property/items before a tenant moves in and just before a tenant leaves, so it can be made clear what damages, if any, need to be paid for.

Preparing an inventory

The Landlord, Letting Agent or an Independent Inventory Clerk should prepare the Inventory which should be agreed with the tenant on move-in day. The Landlord/Agent and tenant(s) should sign the Inventory and initial every page to signify agreement. It is recommended that  valuable items such as cookers and washing machines should be photographed, so there is no question of their condition.

The final inventory check at the end of tenancy

Ideally, on move out day the landlord should do a final inventory check. The inventory must be checked and agreed with the tenant before the deposit being returned.

It’s imperative that the inventory is checked immediately before the tenant leaving, so there can be no argument about any damage occurring after the tenant has gone. The deposit should only be handed back within 7 to 14 days if there are no outstanding issues when the inspection is complete.

What happens if items have been damaged?

If there’s a general consensus between the parties on what has been damaged, then estimates should be drawn up for repairs/replacements. The tenant should be informed of all the costs in writing and amounts of deductions from the deposit.

If the deposit doesn’t cover the amount needed to carry out the repairs, an invoice itemising all costs involved for additional payments should be sent to the tenant. If the tenant is insured, this evidence should be provided for the insurance company.

What if the parties Cannot Agree?

If the parties cannot reach agreement as to which items have been damaged, the severity of the damage, the repair or replacement costs etc, then great care should be taken in:

  • recording the state and condition with photographs
  • obtaining estimates and repair or replacement costs
  • informing the tenant/landlord in writing

Disputes over these matters may eventually need to be solved through arbitration by a third party – most usually, the Small Claims Court.

If you would like more information about creating a landlord inventory visit
http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/property-inventory-form/

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Landlords guide to betting the ‘big squeeze’

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The election is over at last, the ‘big squeeze’ is about to begin. How the coalition government affects the UK’s economy and job prospects is yet to be discovered, but we all know something is coming. So how as a landlord can you minimize the effect of the ‘big squeeze’ on you?

Landlords tips to beat the “big squeeze”

Secure finance

Improvements in the mortgage market means many landlords could obtain better deals on finance The availability of buy-to-let mortgages continued to improve with the launch of a new range for landlords with only a 20% deposit. There has also been a gradual improvement in the rates being charged on buy-to-let loans, with the average cost of a two-year fixed rate mortgage dropping to 5.63% now, from 5.96% in September last year, according to Moneyfacts.co.uk.

Beat the VAT Increase

Brining forward major building, renovation or white goods purchases can provide landlords with a major saving.

Protect your income

Job insecurity and job losses even in the previously secure public sector are expected to bite harder over the next couple of years as government spending is reduced. If a landlord relies on the income generated from a property, rent guarantee insurance could provide the additional security in uncertain employment times.

Landlord Legal protection insurance

As money gets tighter the potential for conflict with tenants and suppliers increases. Resorting to litigation can be a costly exercise. Landlord legal protection insurance provides legal advice and insurance for this often stressful and financially costly situation.

Property protection

The protection of property during a let and when unoccupied is increasingly important. If your property is unoccupied for any length of time, management is essential to maintaining the value of a property. This should be combined with adequate unoccupied property insurance should the worst happen.

If you need landlord insurance you can compare landlord insurance quotes from leading landlord insurance brokers quickly at CompareCrazy.com the business comparison website

VAT impacts on Landlords

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Experts are all predicting that VAT rates will rise to at least 20% in the very near future. Although this may have only marginal impact on larger VAT registered landlords able to offset the increased cost, what about the small self financing landlord?

With prices cut to the bone by many builders and white goods suppliers it is expected that the full 2.5% increase will be passed onto customers. The VAT increase could add considerable cost to major building projects and property refurbishments.

Landlords who are not VAT registered could save £1000’s by bringing forward major purchases to avoid the impending VAT increase. The slowdown in construction could also provide landlords with even greater savings as building firms cut quotes to win business.

Property experts comment that landlord with long term finance in place or who are lucky enough to be cash rich can increase property portfolios at a bargain price and beat price increases by bringing purchases forward.

Biggest residential property sale

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The single biggest residential property sale since the credit crunch has been agreed with Lloyds Bank group. Valued at around 400 million the 21 apartment blocks include 500 apartments in areas including Chelsea, Pimlico and Kensington.

This latest deal spells fresh confidence in the property sector in the London and South of England as cash rich buyers actively compete with each other for prestigious developments. Prime locations such as the former Middlesex hospital in the West End of London have attracted interest from Grosvenor the Duke of Westminster’s private property company and the insurance giant Aviva.

If you are considering expanding or starting you property empire however modest or grand you ambitions, protecting your assets as cost effectively as possible is essential. Luckily you can compare landlord insurance for individual or an entire property portfolio.  With CompareCrazy.com you can compare landlord insurance quotes for residential, commercial and mixed use property quickly directly from your PC.

Landlord Stereotype – which one are you?

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Landlords fall into five groups according to the website fish4. The stress of the landlord and tenant relationship is often only marginally easier than getting divorced or moving house, the survey has revealed.

Fish4homes has drawn up a list of the top five typical landlords as

Which one is you be honest!

  • Mr Perfect Landlord
    Honest and open and always plays by the book when it comes to general maintenance happy to assist tenants even out of hours
  • Mr Scatty Landlord
    Seems to be on the ball but then repeatedly forgets to make arrangements for the property and needs constant reminding of tasks. I am sure we have all had someone like this in the office.
  • The Cowboy Landlord
    Good at talking the talk but guilty of dodgy DIY around the property like filling cracks around light fittings in with putty.
  • The Lonely Landlord
    Seems to always turn up unannounced at the property at any hour of the day or night!
  • The Disastrous Landlord
    Guilty of leaving tenants stranded when the house gets repossessed due to non payment of the mortgage.

We all know that tenants can be just as difficult to deal with and a good working relationship with your tenant is key to stress free lettings.

Being a landlord can be both a joy and curse, the relationship built up with tenants will keep stress to a minimum on both sides. Handling tenants professionally from day, checking tenants references, ensuring repairs and maintenance are carried out efficiently can mean the difference between financial success and financial disaster for landlords large and small.

The most professional landlord in the world can however still end up with a problem tenant or claim made against them for an accident on their property. Landlords who protect themselves with landlord liability insurance however are safe in the knowledge that in spite of their best efforts. If things do go wrong they are protected from any financial costs.

What does Unoccupied Property Insurance cover?

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Unoccupied Property Insurance and Unoccupied building Insurance is very specialised and the cover provided by insurers can be restrictive. In order to source the right level of unoccupied property insurance coverage it is possible to search online and compare between providers. This will ensure that you obtain the best deal possible, finding the unoccupied property insurance cover you need at the lowest premium.

Unoccupied property insurance covers

  • Liability as property owner included
  • Standard Fire, Lightning, Earthquake & Explosion perils
  • Malicious Damage Option
  • Contents insurance cover available
  • Theft insurance cover option
  • Properties under renovation
  • Pending let
  • Pending Sale
  • Subsidence cover option

At ComparCrazy.com we have insurance brokers that are looking for your business and can provide cover for unoccupied property insurance. You can even compare unoccupied property insurance quotes and levels of cover to find the right policy for you.

Half a million properties unoccupied

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The startling picture of neglect – is estimated that more than 450,000 properties have been unoccupied for at least six months.

If as a landlord you have unoccupied property it is essential to ensure that your landlord insurance will cover you property whilst unoccupied. Unoccupied properties are more prone to vandalism and if neglected will become unattractive to perspective tenants exasperating the problem for landlords and neighbourhoods alike.

To minimise the risk of damage and liability, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the property is well secured and protected, starting with informing your insurance provider that the property is unoccupied. Not only will your insurer expect to be notified if the property becomes vacant so that your landlords insurance policy can be adjusted to cover an unoccupied property, your insurer will also may expect you to maintain the property and keep it safe.

Protecting your unoccupied property

  • Secure theunoccupied  property with adequate insurance approved locks to doors and windows
  • Regularly visit an unoccupied property to make a visual check for damage or vandalism
  • Make sure regular deliveries to any unoccpied property such as papers as cancelled
  • Consider investing in timers for lights to go on and off at regular intervals
  • Get to know the neighbours – giving neighbours your telephone number so they can alert you to any problems quickly.
  • Maintain lawns and gardens – this will make a property looked lived in as well as make the unoccupied property more appealing to prospective tennats.

If you believe your property will be unoccupied for a considerable length of time you may also wish to consider adding steel shuttering to doors and windows.

Unoccupied property insurance is invaluable in protecting a landlords property investment at a time when the property is potential vulnerable. Although often difficult to obtain unoccupied property insurance can today be compared online at CompareCrazy.com

Build to let comes to Birmingham

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For the last decade the buy-to-let sector has helped prop up Birmingham’s city centre apartment sales.

But with investors struggling to get finance to expand their portfolios, the sector’s influence on the market is starting to diminish.

As a result, house builders are reporting a 42 per cent year on year fall in net reservations.

One option for developers to mitigate the lack of demand is build-to-let. This is where developers ear-mark a discrete block of around 100 units that are purpose built for the private rental sector. The whole block is either kept by the developer as an investment, or sold as a whole to a large investor.

Although a relatively new concept in the UK, it is well tested in the US. The build-to-let model provides an opportunity for developers or property investors to benefit from a more traditional balance of income growth and capital appreciation.

These large developments are attractive to institutional investors in the US for their regular, stable cash flow. The size of the blocks generates economies of scale and enable greater efficiency in the management of the property and its lettings.

They also facilitate early sales momentum for the rest of the development and create a buzz to an area through faster occupancy.

Unoccupied property insurance

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Finding unoccupied property insurance can be difficult. Many insurers will not even quote for a property that is unoccupied. As a landlord finding yourself with unoccupied property can not only be financially damaging but when you need unoccupied property insurance, things can prove difficult. Well look no further!

CompareCrazy.com has teamed up with some of the UK’s leading landlord insurance brokers who are able to provide landlords unoccupied property insurance.

Theft, vandalism and water damage cover is now available for your unoccupied building – you can even compare unoccupied property insurance which can even provide contents cover for unoccupied properties.

Insurance for your unoccupied property normally includes theft, malicious damage, storm and escape of water – perils.

If you own a property which has become unoccupied, you are probably aware of the difficulty you can then face trying to get a realistic unoccupied property insurance quotation to insure it. Many insurers will not provide insurance cover for unoccupied properties, and therefore comparing unoccupied property insurance specialists to ensure you get the cover you need at the best possible premium.

Finding a property to let

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If you are a landlord looking to extend your property portfolio, experts advise you look locally and use the knowledge you have about an area to decide on any property investment.

Before purchasing your next property investment ask yourself


  • How many properties are there like yours on the area? If there are a lot of vacancies around, your property will have a lot of competition, and that’s not good for rent prices.
  • Is your area hot? Or are people moving away. Popular areas draw tenants, which is good for rent prices.
  • Are there any special risks about the area, is the area known for flooding or subsidence? If so it may be advisable to enquire about the availability and cost of landlord insurance

The easiest way to assess where supply meets demand is to simply look at what other properties in your area are renting for. A local estate agent can tell you what other similar homes have gone for recently.

Landlord insurance quotes can be compared for properties in risk areas including subsidence affected properties and property in flood area at CompareCrazy.com