UKC

Hi all,

As some of you may remember, the freeholder of my leasehold flat tried to scam me last year for painting costs that were neither agreed nor done during my period of ownership... so I'm a little reluctant to trust him with insurance this year.

He has insured the building and sent me an invoice for my half (half the flat), it seems a fair price but there is no proof that this is the correct price. He hasn't sent me a schedule however from the lease it doesn't seem there is any requirement for him to do so.

Though my lease does say of insurance that it must be done: "...through such agency as the Lessors think fit in some insurance office of repute in the joint names of the Lessors and the Tenant...".

I have reason to believe that the freeholder has not included me in the schedule.

I wanted just to check with the great UKC knowledge base what would happen if the building burned down and they had insured the whole building but without me included? I read somewhere that insurance may not pay out and I'd have to sue the Lessors' estate for my damages.

Is this true? Is it therefore worth pushing to see the schedule when the freeholder comes back with resistance to showing me?

Thanks in advance!

In reply to A Longleat Boulderer:
I don't quite understand. AIUI, the landlord is responsible for insuring the whole building such that if it falls down, burns down or whatever it can be rebuilt. You are responsible for insuring your contents against whatever risks you wish, including the building burning down. I don't see why you would need to be a beneficiary of the buildings policy, as you don't own the building, just a lease on it?

Or do such policies typically name the tenant in order that they can claim e.g. temporary housing costs in such an event?

In reply to Neil Williams:

Thanks Neil. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's confused here.

Just want to make sure I'm not being fleeced again!

In reply to A Longleat Boulderer:

This doesn't make sense. The freeholder will be obligated under the terms of the lease to insure the freehold, IE the whole building if you're in a leasehold flat.

In reply to Removed User:
I think it may prove to be good value for money to get paid-for legal advice from a leasehold specialist, to be honest. I think I would in this situation. Leaseholds are a right minefield.

In reply to Neil Williams:
True. All very confusing. Not helped by the fact I don't trust the freeholders one iota!

Thanks for the advice though to both of you. Let's see.