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If we fit a Wood Burner will it increase the Landlords insurance?

Started by Happy tenant, October 07, 2012, 01:15:51 PM

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Happy tenant

Hi.  Firstly, it goes without saying that we would check with the Landlord before we did any alterations, I just wanted to test the water here first. 

We moved into a beautiful cottage over the summer.  It has a fireplace and a chimney for a wood burner, but no stove is in place.  I was wondering if we brought a second hand wood burner and paid to have it fitted by a professional person whether it would cause the landlord to have to pay more for his insurance?  If this is the case then we'll either scrap the idea, or can we offer to pay extra in our rent to cover the insurance?  We already have content insurance, but I don't know how building/landlord insurance works?   

I'd be very interested to know if this is a feasible idea, many thanks.

Jeremy

Hello Happy tenant,

Yes it probably would increase the insurance, as wood burners leave flammable creasote residue in the chimney which can cause chimney fires.

But I think it's less the cost of the insurance than the likely stipulation from the insurers that the chimney is swept to industry recomendation (three times per year, if I recall, but you may want to go to NACS - national association of chimney sweeps - to be sure) as this culd be best part of a couple of hundred quid.

I think you're going about this the right way.  Find out everything and then approach your landlord.  Hope this helps.  Pleas elet us know how you get on.