UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all,

Sorry that my first post is regarding such a mess, but I rely on your experience not to fall into a bigger trap than we are already in.

To cut a long story short, we own a small cottage in the North of England. The property is (was) let and "managed" by a property management company, as we live way down South. So far, so good.
Now, three months ago, the tenant stopped paying rent and the management company was supposed to sort the matter out with tenant and council (tenant had started to receive benefits). However, nothing came from it.
About a month ago, we had some work done on the cottage and all was, apart from being rather untidy, well enough. Ten days later the workmen came back and the place was deserted. Shortly after, there were signs of forced entry, the boiler was gone and the whole place was flooded, as the thieves didn't bother to turn the water off.  (The flipping management company didn't even inform us, we only found out when the police called us).
In total, £10,000 repair and replacement costs. On top of the outstanding rent.

Police is involved, we got a crime reference number and the next step will be to approach the insurance.
Now, my greatest concern is that the insurance could turn round and claim the tenant might have taken the boiler/caused the damage - which, in our policy - is not covered. And, of course, we don't know who has actually taken the boiler.
There is forced entry to the property, but the cottage had been unoccupied for less than 10 days when the mess was finally discovered.

Has anybody ever dealt with a situation like this? Any tips how to proceed? (Yes, apart from telling the "management" company to **********)

Thanks a lot in advance,
Jill

Jill

Dont sweat it.

You are a victim of crime and you have insurance.

All the other details really are irrelevant to the situation.

Put in the claim, with the facts you have. You have a tenant, the property was occupied.

The fact that the tenant is the prime suspect is for the police to sort out, not you.

It's upsetting and annoying and rubbish, but it does happen.

Good luck with sorting it out, call the insurance straight away, there first question will be... When did you discover the event, if it's a long time since they can get sniffy.