Water beds in upstairs flat

[roganjosh]

Need some advice please.
I am in the process of letting out my upstairs flat; the new tenants have advised me that they have a waterbed.

My first reaction was to refuse them completely on the basis that it is an upstairs flat and I am worried over the possibility of it leaking. I feel that it may be to big a liability.

I have not had chance to contact my property insurers yet. I know it would be up to the tenant to take out insurance and make sure that the bed and possible flood damage is covered on their insurance. My only worry is that they may not take out or let lapse their insurance, where would this leave me if the worst did happen? Should I insist on taking out an isurance and charging the tenant for it, or should I just go down the road of refusal? can I do this, it is my property after all?.

[mind the gap]

Need some advice please.
I am in the process of letting out my upstairs flat; the new tenants have advised me that they have a waterbed.

My first reaction was to refuse them completely on the basis that it is an upstairs flat and I am worried over the possibility of it leaking. I feel that it may be to big a liability.

I have not had chance to contact my property insurers yet. I know it would be up to the tenant to take out insurance and make sure that the bed and possible flood damage is covered on their insurance. My only worry is that they may not take out or let lapse their insurance, where would this leave me if the worst did happen? Should I insist on taking out an isurance and charging the tenant for it, or should I just go down the road of refusal? can I do this, it is my property after all?.

My personal reaction would be that a rented upstairs flat is no place for a water bed. If it does leak and brings the ceiling of the flat below down, it could be dangerous, as well as a huge insurance headache.

Tenants do not have a God-given right to have a water bed. Tell them to put it into storage or find a ground floor flat somewhere. I would steer clear.

[paulb67]

Hi Roganjosh

There should be no issues with your own property insurers and the tenants waterbed.

You're more likely to experience a water leak issue with a washing machine or bath/shower than a waterbed.

If the waterbed does leak and cause damage to your property then you have your buildings insurance to cover the cost.

Whilst the tenant may have their own insurance, you would need to prove that they had been negligent in some way, in order to make a claim on their contents policy (which would need to include public liability).

If you are concerned that their cover might lapse without your knowledge it is possible to ask the tenant contents insurer to note your interest and advise you if the policy lapses (a messy solution, especially if you have to deal with a call centre type insurer).

You could ask the tenant to provide you with a higher deposit, but ultimately if you are really concerned about their waterbed, the simplest solution is to ask the tenant not to use the bed.

Most landlords are probably unaware of whether or not their tenant has a waterbed.

I've never seen a claim for a waterbed causing damage and believe me I've seen hundreds of claims.

[mind the gap]

The observation that there are relatively few insurance claims relating to them, in itself proves very little. It may be that very few people have them in the first place. It may be that when they leak, claims are made under the manufacturers' guarantee. It may be that insurance policies exclude them anyway (our LL's insurance does), or that insurers exclude damage done by sharp instruments to the bed.

Unless the construction of the bedroom floor can be demonstrated to more than adequate for the weight/pressure of a full, double/kingsized water bed, I would not countenance allowing Ts to install one. The average water bed, when filled, weighs 2000lbs (900kg) and not all floors can safely support this. Many tenancy agreements do not allow them for this reason.

[roganjosh]

I have had contact with my insurers today and all they have said is that it is up to the tenants contents insurance to provide cover, but they would wouldn't they! I asked them to put it in writing that it was OK as far as their insurance was concerned. They have only confirmed that the tenants isurance should cover it, which is not what I asked for.
I never gave the weight issue a thought, the floor should stand the weight as it is concrete (though if the rest of the build quality is anything to go by then it probably won't be strong enough):eek:

At the end of the day I think the only sensible thing to do is not allow the bed, I don't need the stress if something goes wrong.

Thank you everyone for your advice

[bullybantam]

I've a waterbed at home and have researched them before buying it over ten years ago. There's lots of myths about them, a leak would cause little problem as the bladder is held within a water tight frame. I've had a leak on mine, you know about very quickly believe me!

Only possible issue I could see is a intruder causing deliberate damage, but such an individual could do plenty else.

I'd have no problem if any tenant wanted to install one.

[wilfred]

Are water beds any good for back problems?

[mind the gap]

Are water beds any good for back problems?

Dunno, but swimming is. If sleeping on it didn't work, you could always tin-opener the top off and use the water-filled bed base as a jacuuzzi/pool.:D

[bullybantam]

Are water beds any good for back problems?

Yes, also daft as it sounds they're good for asthmatics - no creepy crawlies reside in them;)

[wilfred]

Yes, also daft as it sounds they're good for asthmatics - no creepy crawlies reside in them;)

And no doubt they drown the bedbugs. Lets see the little blighters swim their way out of that!

[roganjosh]

I have done a little research and came across this web page which is very interesting, not so much about water beds but more about the big American style fridges and freezers which is the latest fashion in the UK

As an electrician I have been under the floor of many a house that I know would have problems with floor strenth

http://www.content4reprint.com/home/these-waterbed-facts-will-floor-you.htm

[roganjosh]

Are water beds any good for back problems?

Not if you try and lift one:D