What is the difference between accidental damage and malicious damage?
Accidental damage happens by mistake, while malicious damage is done on purpose
The key difference between ‘accidental damage’ and ‘malicious damage’ is that accidental damage is not a deliberate action
Any damage to a rental property is inconvenient, but while accidental damage is unintentional, malicious damage is caused on purpose with intent to do harm.
It includes things like vandalising furniture, kicking holes in the walls and smashing windows.
Neither accidental damage nor malicious damage are usually offered as standard, so it’s important to check whether they are included in your landlord insurance policy and take out extra protection if needed.
Our Premier policy provides cover for accidental damage to the building and malicious damage to both the building and contents by tenants or guests.
Accidental damage insurance protects against genuine accidents, but which specific incidents are included will vary from one insurer to another.
For example, Total Landlord Insurance’s Premier policy won’t cover contents, but it will cover damage to glass and sanitary ware fittings.
There are a few things that are not usually covered by accidental damage insurance, such as:
Damage to contents
Damage caused by pets
Defective design or workmanship
Damage to the buildings arising from construction, alteration, repair or lack of maintenance
General wear and tear, gradual deterioration, rusting, corrosion, wet and dry rot, rising damp or mould
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce the potential of accidental damage.
Make sure that you or your agent has a proper chat with prospective tenants, so that you can get a good idea of what they do and what they are like. You’ll also need to carry out a robust reference check.
We recommend a four-point check:
Proof of identity from the tenant
Utility bill or bank statement
Credit check
Confirmation of employment
Read our ultimate guide to tenant referencing for more details on carrying out a robust reference check.
Responding to your tenant’s questions or concerns in a timely manner and making sure that repairs are made as soon as possible will keep tenants happy and encourage them to look after your property.
Ask them to let you know if any repairs are needed and fix them as soon as possible to maintain the relationship.
Advise tenants not to try fixing anything except simple issues themselves.
Opt for durability when selecting floor coverings, worktops, bathroom suites etc.
Don’t be tempted to cut costs but instead choose good quality, durable materials as they will last longer and suffer less wear and tear.
It’s also important to have them installed by a reputable tradesperson, as faulty workmanship or defective materials are not included in accidental damage cover.
This will reduce the likelihood of tenants attempting to carry out their own DIY, a common cause of accidental damage.
Damage due to lack of maintenance or faulty repair is not covered by accidental damage insurance so it’s important to be aware of landlords’ and tenants’ repair responsibilities.
Choose reinforced windows, place a lock on the garden gate, and fit a prominent security system. Read our ultimate guide to securing your rental property for more useful advice.
Carrying out regular, documented inspections will help you spot problems that crop up during the tenancy, and also provides an opportunity for your tenant to raise any issues with the property.
Periodic inspections are a requirement of landlord insurance policies, so it is important to make sure you do them regularly so that you don’t invalidate any insurance claim.
Accidental damage is, by its very nature, hard to avoid and accidents will of course happen, but landlords can help minimise the risk of accidental damage by taking the steps outlined here. It’s also important to make sure you don’t invalidate any claim you need to make on your policy. Vetting your tenants thoroughly before letting your property, by carrying out a robust four-point reference check, is key. Develop a good relationship with your tenants once they are in your property, and make sure that they know they should contact you straight away if any repairs are needed. Attend to repairs promptly, and carry out regular inspections and maintenance for both your tenants’ safety and your own peace of mind.
