May 2024 Question: How do I calculate the rebuild cost for insurance for my rental property? Response: Firstly, let me say that it is not the purchase price, market value, the mortgage value or indeed how much it would cost you yourself to rebuild the property in the event of a claim. It is the reinstatement cost (i.e. the cost of rebuilding the property from the ground up in the event of a total loss) that the claims loss assessor will adjudge to be the correct insurable value, which can differ greatly to what you would expect or what you
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May 2024 Question My rental property is currently unoccupied in between lettings whilst I do some maintenance work. Is it still protected with landlord insurance?   Response   The answer to this question is very much dependant on the insurer and product that you have in place currently. Our IPOA Scheme provides Property Owners All Risks Insurance cover.  This scheme was established in conjunction with the IPOA, for its members.   The Property Owners Liability section of our Scheme policy extends to cover casual repair & maintenance persons who do ad hoc works at your property throughout the year e.g.
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May 2024   Question Is Landlord Insurance required by Law?   Response   The only compulsory insurance required by law in Ireland is motor insurance to drive your vehicle on the roads.   However the Residential Tenancies Act of 2004 states that you must have property damage and public liability cover in place for every unit that you provide as rental accommodation to private tenants.   In addition, you may also be required to insure your property if you are taking out a mortgage. The bank/financier may insist that their interest be noted on the policy and may have specific
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April 2024 Question New tenants recently moved into my rental property. As part of the Lease, it was agreed that the tenants would be responsible for cutting the grass, the garden is of medium size. As the weather has become warmer the grass has become overgrown and the property looks messy. I have asked the tenant why the grass has not been cut and they replied that ‘I need to provide them with a Lawnmower’. As a landlord, do I legally have to provide garden equipment such as a lawnmower for the tenants. Response Whilst the landlord is responsible for
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February 2024 Question I recently received an Improvement letter from the Council outlining works that needs to be completed in my rental property following an Inspection. This was the first I heard about any inspection on my property.  On speaking with my tenant, they advised me that they were aware of the Inspection and had received a letter advising them of same. My preference would have been to be in attendance on the day of inspection. I have no problem with conducting the works, however, my question is – can the council conduct an inspection in a rental property without
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January 2024 Question: My tenant has been in occupation for 4.5 years, they contacted me yesterday to advise me that their bedroom is covered in bed bugs. The property is shared with 3 other tenants, none are having the same issue. I have arranged for an inspection at the property to see what is occurring. My question is, whose responsibility is it to remove the bugs if there is an infestation?   Response: When a tenant notices bed bugs, they may call the landlord first.  In all cases, a tenant should notify the landlord as soon as possible, to assess
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