UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have house insurance with Aviva but they will not allow me to insure against drain problems? Can anyone recommend a suitable insurer who does provide this type of cover for rental properties?

Use google

Yes I have used Google, but just wondered if anyone else had the same problem as many main stream insurance companies don't insure rental properties hence the post.
What would really help are posts about reliable company's used by forum members so I can avoid being ripped off?

But hey, if you don't know that's ok!

? There are quite a few of insurance companies that cover drains for landlords.
But I don't bother with specific insurance..maybe I'm the exeception but I haven't found it a frequent problem
Neither have other landlords at not the ones I know.
In 18 years only had one drain blocked (caused a nasty back flush into next door).
I called a few folks I know that know useful contractors and they didn't have a drain guy on their list - just not common(?)

I used Plumbjet (in London)... they did a great job and wasn't that expensive at all.

Hope that helps.

Use British Gas Homecare 400 - get the landlord cover and you get a gas cert as well. Bit pricey but they use Dynorod if things go wrong and (in my experience) they are 100% reliable. Not sure many home insurance companies would cover unblocking a drain when the blockage is caused by something the occupier has done?

Quote from: David M on February 29, 2016, 03:05:37 PM
Use British Gas Homecare 400 - get the landlord cover and you get a gas cert as well. Bit pricey but they use Dynorod if things go wrong and (in my experience) they are 100% reliable. Not sure many home insurance companies would cover unblocking a drain when the blockage is caused by something the occupier has done?

Apologies in advance for a slightly off topic but related question.  I've been looking at British Gas cover for around 30 properties (mainly S/C flats) as I can't be physically around for issues.  Anyone had any experience good/bad from a landlord perceptive with their service?

We have found BG to be the best of all the emergency contractors out there. Response time is very good and they generally fix the issue if it's fixable. Homecare 200 is the most popular as it covers the boiler and controls. We always suggest landlords go for the more expensive cover without an excess as the excesses have a way of building up especially with 31 flats. BG offer an option that covers domestic appliances but it is very expensive so only one of our landlords has got it.

Only drawback is that if you're not around much then the tenants have to be clued up enough to make that telephone call themselves and explain the problem. BG will not visit properties unaccompanied so tenants need to make themselves available which may be an issue for some as they offer morning or afternoon slots but will call when 20 mins away if you ask them to.

Thank you to all who have replied!

Regards,

Bleeper..

Quote from: David M on February 29, 2016, 04:52:24 PM
We have found BG to be the best of all the emergency contractors out there. Response time is very good and they generally fix the issue if it's fixable. Homecare 200 is the most popular as it covers the boiler and controls. We always suggest landlords go for the more expensive cover without an excess as the excesses have a way of building up especially with 31 flats. BG offer an option that covers domestic appliances but it is very expensive so only one of our landlords has got it.

Only drawback is that if you're not around much then the tenants have to be clued up enough to make that telephone call themselves and explain the problem. BG will not visit properties unaccompanied so tenants need to make themselves available which may be an issue for some as they offer morning or afternoon slots but will call when 20 mins away if you ask them to.

Many thanks for the response!

Plus 1 for British Gas homecare

I have British Gas homecare 300 on my two properties, this also includes plumbing drains and gas cents as well, they fixed a leak in the toilet and changed a couple of radiator valves no problem

Maybe this site is cursed or its just coincidence but I just had to get a drain cleaned after telling everyone blockages are so infrequent....although I suspect the tenant flushed a nappy into the soil stack. 
Found a chap on check a trade
He had to cut the soil stack to rod that to clear it
Big job took best part of 1/2 a day
Only charged 150 cash... So there's a go by /estimate for south west London
Maybe balance that against insurance cost.

As a potential landlord looking to start up in the BTL business, and using this and other sites for help, the last thing I need to consider is whether or not this forum is cursed...!

Consider no more. It is.