Bottom line is:

I left someting stupid on the boiler while we nipped out for 5 minutes.

Came back - flat full of smoke (very very thick) which has left a gunkey residue on everything.

Obviously contents are my own responsibility - but what about fixtures & fittings, decoration, the boiler it's self.

Are we going to get royally shafted or should the landlord claim on his insurance?

Advise needed, please no "stupid bugger" repies. . .

 

The landlord should have insurance but could lose your deposit - say its 500 quid or so - what does it say in your contract???

 

What did you leave on the boiler?

 

I've been running a fever for the last couple of days. . my pillow was sodden. . . .

 

Landlord can claim from his own insurance for buildngs and anything which he supplied (including decorating etc) He could try to make you claim on your contents insurance if you have third party liability cover (which is only fair really - your fault after all)

 

it could go either way. Depends on the contract. In my contract i believe the tenants would have to pay. I have a standard contract around somewhere so i will have a check. I doubt your landlord will want to claim because of loosing there no claims... so will try and make you.

 

Unfortunately we have no third party cover

 

Have a word with your landlord, offer to pay his excess & let him claim under his own lanlords policy - this may be £250 id he has a 'Landlords' policy rather than a 'Domestic' policy.

Also check your own contents policy, assuming it's a normal domestic one rather than a Students All-Risks policy. You should find you will have personal liability (ususally found towards the end of the contents section), either within that or after that is a section relating to Tenants Liability - this is designed to cover the buildings (which you technically have no insurable/financial interest in) for damage normally covered under a domestic buildings policy and for which you are liable for as a tenant.

Problem is, if you speak to someone at the insurance company, they'll immediately dismiss it as being a 'buildings' claim - just get them to read their policy first.

Graham

 

From what you say I think you are the tenant, so the landlord will ultimately just want his property back in proper working order. Talk to him and let him know that you are wanting to sort things out.

Graham's advice is great, if you are covered then you are a winner. If not then you will most likely have to pay the landlord's excess....assuming he is covered. Not all policies for landlords will cover things like this, and the excess can be around £500 depending on their policy.