HomeReplacementWindows.net

I rent a house and the landlord refuses to cover costs from a burgulary?

Whilst on holiday in spain over xmas the house i rent was broken into, ive had to pay £140 to have the window boarded and the cost of replacement glass, my landlord refuses to meet the costs and says i should have "renters insurance", is this not covered by the landlords buildings insurance ??

Public Comments

1. Leave the board up over the window. Move.


2. Landlord should take care of all building costs. Renter's insurance only covers stuff inside your house. Sue his a*ss and take him to court.


3. Maybe, maybe not. Read your lease agreement.

   I used to be a landlord (US & UK) and my leases or assured shorthold tenancy agreements all required the tenant to get renter's insurance to cover these hazards.

   The damage to the window probably should be covered by the landlord's insurance but that amount is probably well below the excess on the policy so there would be nothing payable. Arguably the landlord should normally eat the damage to the building (and you eat the stolen property) but again your written agreement will determine this. If it's silent on the issue, it's up to the landlord to handle the building repairs. Check with your local CAB for assistance and bring your agreement with you.

   140 quid sounds a bit OTT unless it was a large window or one of the newer "thermo-pane" types.



4. Maybe, but if hte lease says YOU are responsible for any broken glass, well, then YOU ARE!!!

   You have to see what the lease says.

   If it says, you have to have renters insruance, which most do, you need to have renters insurance. Even if it doesn't, you should have it, as the landlord isn't responsible for your posessions!!!



5. Renter's insurance is a good idea. Talk to a lawyer.


6. Renter's insurance does not cover any part of the structure. The only property covered under a renter's policy is personal property (i.e. furniture, electronics, clothes, etc).

   If you rent you are not responsible for any part of the structure as it is the landlord that own's it. There wouldn't be any clause in a renter's lease that says you are responsible for part of the structure if it is damaged. If you paid to board up the window the landlord should have to reimburse you as it is his building structure that was damaged. His insurance policy does cover this type of damage however, the cost to replace the window is probably under his deductible.

   If he refuses to pay you I would break the lease and not pay any penalty costs and if he comes after you for those fees then you can come right back at him for the cost of the window and it will even out. Also start spreading around his name as being a bad landlord.