ChecklistsChecklist provided by
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Advertisement feature with Direct Line Blocked or broken drains aren’t just a nightmare for tenants who have to deal with nasty smells and even nastier bacteria. They’re also a headache for landlords. |
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Follow this checklist for tips on how you can avoid the issue and how to unblock drains if the worst happens. |
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Ask your tenants to keep the drains as clear as possible, and give your tenants some drain maintenance advice to help keep everything flowing properly:
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Ask your tenants to keep an eye out for slow water flow or patches of damp near pipes, and tell them to let you know if they think there’s a problem – these can be early warnings of a blockage. |
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Stay on alert during periods of heavy rain and storms. If there’s a problem with the main drainage pipe at your property, or you need a pipe repair, a lot of extra water could back things up inside. |
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Consider taking out a specialist insurance policy. Direct Line offers Landlord Emergency Cover – an optional add-on that can be purchased with their Landlord Insurance. It covers the cost of repairing damage to your drains and plumbing system but excludes rainwater drains, soakaways or pipes that your water supply or sewerage company are responsible for. |
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When researching Landlord Emergency policies, check whether there’s an excess attached. Some insurers, like Direct Line, don’t charge an excess and don’t limit how often you can claim. |
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If you already have Landlord Emergency cover, make sure you know how to claim. How fast will your insurer send out an expert to resolve the problem or carry out a pipe repair, and what do you need to do to start the process? |
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If you’re going away on holiday or live far away, find out whether your tenants can report an emergency on your behalf. If they can, and you’re happy to let them liaise with your insurer, then you’ll need to give your insurer your tenants’ details and confirm they have your authority to report the emergency on your behalf. |
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Landlord Emergency Cover at Direct Line Direct Line’s Landlord Emergency claims line is open 24-hours a day. If there's an insured emergency at your property, the team will arrange for an approved contractor to secure the property or prevent further damage – whichever is most appropriate. |
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Find out more here |
Landlord Emergency is an optional add-on. It can be added when you take out a new Landlord Insurance policy or when you renew an existing policy, for an additional premium. Residential properties only. Underwritten by U K Insurance Limited.