Accidental damage
You can minimise the risk of accidental damage by implementing preventive measures and following safety guidelines
However careful you and your tenants are, accidents will happen.
Accidental damage, such as broken windows or damaged pipes, has been the third most common claim type at Total Landlord for all but one of the last five years.
Around 80% of the accidental damage claims we see at Total Landlord are for ‘accidental loss’ scenarios, which includes things like a child kicking a ball through the window or a tenant banging a nail into a water pipe. One of the most common causes of accidental loss we see at Total Landlord is a tap being left running unattended.
Even if the accidental damage was caused by tenants, it’s up to the landlord to pay for the repairs. And these can be extensive. One of our highest accidental damage claims at Total Landlord was for £41,316, when dirty water seeped through all the flooring of the property, which needed to be stripped out and sanitised, due to a collapsed drain.
The costs were for loss of rent as well as damage, as the tenants had to move out while the works were being completed. On average, accidental damage claims over the last five years have been for just under £2,000. Although accidental damage is difficult to predict, there are some steps you can take to minimise the risks and impact.
Carry out regular property maintenance
Carry out robust tenant referencing and regular periodic inspections
Ask tenants to report any accidental damage to you as soon as possible
Make sure tenants know that they need to provide their own contents insurance
Accidental damage cover isn’t always offered as standard so check whether it’s included in your landlord insurance policy, and take out extra protection if needed
For more guidance on how to protect your rental property from accidental damage, read our ultimate guide to accidental damage insurance.