Water damage to bathroom flloor - would I be covered by LL insurance?

[candyman]

My tenant has damaged the bathroom floor, water damage and mould on chipboard flooring which will need replacing and a section of the partition near floor level....

My landlord's insurance was purchased via "Let my Property" and is underwritten by Zurich. Would this kind of damage normally be covered with landlord's insurance...? Can't see anything that mentions water damage in policy....

[mind the gap]

My tenant has damaged the bathroom floor, water damage and mould on chipboard flooring which will need replacing and a section of the partition near floor level....

My landlord's insurance was purchased via "Let my Property" and is underwritten by Zurich. Would this kind of damage normally be covered with landlord's insurance...? Can't see anything that mentions water damage in policy....

Insurance usually covers accidental egress of water (e.g. due to radiator leaking, pipes bursting etc) but not wilful damage by T or damage caused by T's lifestyle. This would include Ts drying laundry indoors and causing condensation mould, lack of ventilation, or not using a shower curtain to protect carpet from water.

Who/What caused the damage?

In your other thread you seem to suggest you will pursue T for the cost of repairs. If you go through your insurance company instead (assuming they pay out), remember your premiums will almost certainly rise.

[candyman]

The tenant has caused the damage.

When you said insurance will not cover wilful damage, I don't believe the tenant caused the damage on purpose...

It's a small bathroom with bath that has a shower attachment on the mixer tap. There is a shower curtain. The only explanation for the damage I can think of is that the shower attachment has been used as if it was a proper shower.

If the shower attachment was meant to be used in the same way as a seperate stand alone shower it would have a shower enclosure not a bath with a curtain....

The shower attachment is for washing hair etc and comes in handy when you are cleaning the bath, which I don't think the tenant did once during their tenancy!!

[mind the gap]

The tenant has caused the damage.

When you said insurance will not cover wilful damage, I don't believe the tenant caused the damage on purpose...

It's a small bathroom with bath that has a shower attachment on the mixer tap. There is a shower curtain. The only explanation for the damage I can think of is that the shower attachment has been used as if it was a proper shower.

If the shower attachment was meant to be used in the same way as a seperate stand alone shower it would have a shower enclosure not a bath with a curtain....

The shower attachment is for washing hair etc and comes in handy when you are cleaning the bath, which I don't think the tenant did once during their tenancy!!

I would be very surprised if your insurance covered that, to be honest, but good luck whichever way you decide to proceed!

[ashburnham]

If the damage happened on a specific day it would be classed as either "Escape of Water" (covered on most landlords buildings policies) or, more likely, "Accidental Damage by Tenant" (which is usually an optional extra you pay more for). As long as you have a specific date of occurrence then you can proceed with this as an insurance claim.

What I would imagine though is that the damage was not caused on a specific day and it was something that has happened over a period of time. This would not be covered as your insurance will not cover a "gradually operating cause" or "wear and tear" damage. If your tenant has been using the facilities inappropriately then I guess your only option is to approach them for compensation.