Just trying to sort out a family members insurance. Now, she owns a former council flat, that is (Barnsley) council leasehold. Other tenants in the block are current council tenants. Will she need buildings cover? Or if it's sketchy, is it OK to get full buildings insurance yourself, even if it's already partially covered? Is it legal to have the same thing covered twice with separate insurers?
I'd say the buildings insurance would be held by the freeholder. She'll just need contents. Ask the council, or check the terms of the lease.
Having had some involvement in this type of thing for a family member recently, I concur with Ponty72.
She does have a letter from the council that states ' Cover will be provided (for the structure only) by BMBC against losses originating from fire, lightning, explosion and such other risks as the council in their discretion may think fit. If you require comprehensive buildings insurance cover, this will be your responsibility to obtain' So basically she is sure the external would be covered, but what happens if anything happens to an internal wall, a bathroom, kitchen etc?
I'd contact the council and ask them to explain exactly what is covered. An internal wall has 2 sides so 1 side would be part of a council tenanted flat. If you mean the plaster on the wall then she'll probably not be covered, but is it worth having insurance for that? If it's a leak from another flat that causes damage for instance then she'd be able to argue it's the council's liability. You need to find out what is already covered. Ask them to explain, or provide a copy of the policy (you can do an foi request if they don't reply).
