Should the house owner be held responsible for every damage caused in the apartment?

Here you are brimming with excitement for your newly rented apartment. So, you call your friends over to celebrate this new achievement with you. Few months into enjoying the features of your residence with your partner or bosom friend, trouble strikes, and your possessions get damaged. 

Depending on how extreme the damage is, you are already concerned and wondering who is to be held responsible for the loss. Irrespective of how you handled the situation, here is a guide on what best to do in recovering your personal possession after breakage or damage.

House Owner Liability Insurance Vs. Tenants Liability Insurance?

Most tenants are quick to hold their landlord responsible for damages done to their personal belongings, without having an understanding of property insurance. They even expect homeowners and landlords to protect them under their insurance policy, and they end up disappointed.

That said, here is the difference:

House owner liability insurance, which is also known as property owner liability insurance, provides adequate coverage for property owners and landlords, in case claims emerge against them on legal liabilities for property damage or personal injury suffered by third parties.

On the other hand, tenants liability insurance is a cover meant for people who rent a home to live in for an agreed timeframe. Within this insurance policy, tenants have cover for the cost of the damage they or even their guests may cause to their landlord’s belongings.

Additionally, there is the tenant’s insurance policy, which is also known as rental contents insurance cover, and it protects the home contents of tenants against theft and damage caused by water leaks, floods, burst pipes, fire, and so on.

What Is My Landlord Supposed To Insure?

After renting an apartment, the responsibility is yours to maintain it.

If by any chance you or your guests accidentally damage any of the home fixtures or fittings, the responsibility is yours to cover the cost of fixing or replacing them.

Notwithstanding, when home fixtures owned by your landlord like the electrical items, central and water heating system, washing machine, etc fail, your landlord has to have them repaired.

That brings us to the answer you have been waiting for:

Building insurance covers the property of your landlord, including its fittings and features that remain after you have vacated the property. It also covers the structure of the building, and it is your landlord who is supposed to get this insurance. 

 Can you now see why your personal belongings; are not automatically covered under your house owner’s insurance?  

What Is Covered By Tenants Insurance?

Earlier, we made a distinction between tenant liability insurance and tenant content insurance, and with these options before you as a tenant, you can choose either or both of the insurance policies. The ball is always in your court! 

Find out how much coverage is available under your insurance policy. For instance, some insurance providers offer protection for your personal belongings like your home decorations, clothes, furniture, and so on but, some providers also cover credit cards and even money in the home, still within your content insurance policy. 

Hence, always ensure you’re clear on how much coverage you’ll be getting before signing on the dotted lines.  

What Happens When I Am Renting From A Family Or Friend?

Renting a home from a close friend or family has its share of benefits, and it is possible to want to overlook the need to insure your personal belongings. 

However, having tenants cover, at the least, will make you less of a burden to your loved ones, and it is further proof of your maturity and sense of responsibility.

What Would I Not Be Covered For?

As a tenant, there are narrow instances where your belongings get damaged, and your landlord would not, in any way, be held responsible. One of such is when a pipe in your house bursts while you are enjoying the outdoors. 

The water could end up damaging your home appliances and other personal property. Still yet, the damage; will not be charged to your landlord.

Their role in such an instance is to repair the plumbing and leave you to the rest.

That is another reason why your content policy is essential for you as a tenant.

Living in a rented apartment without the right cover is a risk on its own. You cannot tell what damage will befall your property or that of your landlord. 

It is always better to be on the safe side by ensuring your belongings are protected whether you are at home or outdoors. It is a sure road to peace of mind!