Who is responsible for building insurance for flat Freeholders?

Flat freeholders jointly own the freehold of the building their flat is in with the owners of the other flats in the building, and it’s your collective responsibility to sort out buildings insurance (although it’s not a legal requirement, you’d be a little crazy not to do so).

How does flat insurance work in a building?

In buildings with more than a couple of flats, it’s common for the building’s management company to arrange the insurance and for you to pay for it as part of the service charge. In other instances, the freeholder may arrange buildings cover directly and bill you annually, or again, via a service charge.

Do you have to have insurance if you live in a flat?

It isn’t a legal requirement to have buildings insurance if you live in a flat but your mortgage provider might require you to have it. If you’re a leaseholder, the buildings insurance for a block of flats could be covered by the freehold owner – although it’s increasingly common for leaseholders to jointly own the freehold and share this.

Who is responsible for insuring the whole building?

If you are a leaseholder, then your freeholder should take care of buildings insurance for the whole building. If you jointly own the freehold with other leaseholders, then you are collectively responsible for making sure the whole building is insured. Is buildings insurance a legal requirement for a flat?

What kind of insurance do I need for a block of flats?

If you’re a leaseholder, the buildings insurance for a block of flats could be covered by the freehold owner – although it’s increasingly common for leaseholders to jointly own the freehold and share this. Read our guide to understand more about business insurance for flats.