Can I Insure My Block of Flats if I’m Not the Freeholder?
The quick answer is yes, you can insure your block of flats even if you’re not the freeholder, but the process and your responsibilities depend on your ownership type and lease agreement.
Steps to Take
- Check the Lease Agreement: This document will outline who is responsible for insuring the building.
- Speak with the Freeholder or Managing Agent: Ask for details about the current insurance policy and how costs are allocated.
- Seek Professional Advice: If you suspect the freeholder is failing to insure the property adequately, consult a legal expert or surveyor.
Key Considerations When Insuring a Block of Flats as a Leaseholder
Understand Your Role and Lease Agreement
Source: Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) provides guidance on leaseholder rights and obligations.
If you’re a leaseholder, the freeholder (or management company) typically holds responsibility for buildings insurance. However, the cost is often recovered through service charges.
Review your lease agreement to determine whether you are allowed to take out separate buildings insurance or if it’s restricted to the freeholder.
Buildings Insurance for Common Areas
The freeholder or management company is generally responsible for arranging a single policy that covers the entire building, including common areas like stairwells and communal gardens.
If you’re part of a residents’ association or Right to Manage (RTM) company, you may collectively arrange buildings insurance.
Contents Insurance
Regardless of the freeholder’s responsibilities, leaseholders can arrange their own contents insurance to protect personal belongings within their flats.
Direct Insurance by Leaseholders
In certain cases, if the freeholder neglects their duty or there’s a specific clause in the lease allowing it, leaseholders can independently insure the property. However, this is rare and may require legal advice.
Source: Citizens Advice – Insurance Issues for Leaseholders
Special Cases
- Right to Manage (RTM) or Enfranchisement
- If you and other leaseholders have formed an RTM company or collectively purchased the freehold (enfranchisement), you can arrange your own buildings insurance policy for the block.
- Shared Ownership Flats
- If you’re in a shared ownership scheme, the housing association usually arranges insurance, but you should confirm this in your agreement.
Be sure to tune into our director talking about the main points about block of flats insurance.
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
We have over 40 years experience as Residential and Commercial Insurance Brokers. We find the right policy to suit your needs and understand the risks that a property owner can face in the course of ownership. We work closely with our Insurers to get the best rates and our experience and excellent relationships with them mean that we can provide cover for even the most difficult to place risks.
Whether you have an adverse claims history, a high value property or a large portfolio of properties, we can source suitable cover for you. Whatever your requirements, we can tailor a specialist property insurance policy to suit your exact needs and provide you with a range of quotes to choose from. Established in 1976, we are not a call centre but a specialist insurance broker with a traditional office mentality, where the client comes first.
Looking for a quote now? Give us a call on 0800 085 3761 or complete one of our quote request forms.
We are also authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and you can view our registration here.
Get In Touch:
[contact-form-7 id="12585" title="New Callback"]We accept most payment types including:
Contents
- 1 Can I Insure My Block of Flats if I’m Not the Freeholder?
- 2 Steps to Take
- 3
- 4 Insurance under one roof
- 5 We are specialists in many types of insurance
- 6 Key Considerations When Insuring a Block of Flats as a Leaseholder
- 7 Special Cases
- 8 Block of Flats
- 9 Unoccupied
- 10 Home Insurance
- 11 Residential Landlord
- 12 Land Liability
- 13 Commercial Property
- 14 Lockup Garage
- 15 Restaurant
- 16 Takeaway
- 17 Classic Car
- 18 Mixed Use
- 19 Tradesmen
- 20 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 21 Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
- 22 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 23 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 24 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 25 Competitive Premiums
- 26 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 27 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 28 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 29 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 30 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 31 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 32 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 33 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 34 Competitive Premiums
- 35 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 36 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 37 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 38 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 39 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 40 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 41 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 42 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 43 Competitive Premiums
- 44 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 45 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 46 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 47 Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
- 48 Get In Touch:
- 49 We accept most payment types including:
- 50 UK Call Handlers & Dedicated New Business Team
- 51 Call Us on 0800 085 3761
