Total Landlord Insurance: More landlords require adequate liability insurance
(PRWEB UK) 18 September 2013 -- UK landlords have been issued with a strong caution to invest in adequate liability insurance following an incident where a missing door handle led to severe ramifications.
As the demand for rented homes continues to increase, it only reinforces the fact that landlords have a responsibility to implement the relevant safety protocols within the home should a tenant incur an injury on the premises, according to personal injury specialist at law firm Furley Page, Neille Ryan.
At the recent case of Alexander v Fresh Water Properties at the Court of Appeal, the landlord was held personally liable on behalf of his contractors’ negligence – after they removed a handle from a heavy self-closing door without fitting a temporary handle.
Mr Ryan explained: “The claimant, a tenant living at the property, faced with a door with no handle had to grasp the edge of the door and suffered a partial amputation when it slammed shut on her finger. The court did not suggest that the contractor was incompetent, or that the landlord had failed to check the builder’s credentials. But the landlord’s duty to take reasonable care for the safety of his resident was not one which the landlord could pass on to the builder.
“For landlords, this highlights the importance of having adequate liability insurance. Cases which get all the way to the Court of Appeal are expensive.”
With the lettings market experiencing a significant increase and the compensation culture becoming more prevalent, more and more landlords are investing in liability insurance in a bid to protect both their assets and their reputation.
A spokesperson for Total Landlord Insurance said: “One essential piece of advice I’d recommend for any landlord is to expect the unexpected. Whilst you may have the correct protocols put in place, there’s no telling when or where an accident could take place – but with liability insurance, at least you can be certain you’ll be covered should a claim be made against you.”
Investing in a property is a long-term commitment, which is why investing in effective liability insurance is hugely important to ensure the needs of the property are taken care of. For a quick quote on landlord liability insurance, speak to the specialists at Total Landlord Insurance on 0800 63 43 880 today.
Mariel Norton, Latitude, http://www.latitudegroup.com/, +44 1925420421, [email protected]
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