What are landlord’s obligations under the new property cover?
Please refer to the comprehensive meth booklet
here for a list of obligations we have for landlords.
You can also find further useful information on managing tenancies on the
Tenancy Services site.
As a landlord, do I have to do the extra identification and reference checks for a tenant already in the property?
The new landlord’s obligations apply to a policy at renewal, so an existing tenant does not have to be treated like a new tenancy. If someone new moves in as part of the existing tenancy however, they will need to be treated like a new tenant and the appropriate checks undertaken.
We do expect landlords to have complied with the obligations that existed under their policy with us when the tenancy began.
As a landlord, when do I need to meet the new obligations if the tenancy started before the new meth cover?
For tenancies that started before the new meth cover was offered - provided the landlord has met their policy obligations in place at the start of the tenancy, we will consider this as having met the requirements of the policy.
However, once the policy has renewed on to a new wording version that includes the revised meth cover, the new obligations will need to be met from the renewal of the policy.
If a new tenancy starts after the policy has renewed on to a new wording version that includes the revised meth cover, all landlord obligations will need to be met.
As a landlord, am I covered for liability?
Liability cover is also included for landlords, subject to a previously clear meth test. This is to provide cover where, for example, a tenant claims for cross-contamination of their property, even where no liability can be shown because legal defence costs may still be incurred.
It’s important to note that while a meth test at the start and end of each tenancy is recommended but is not a requirement of the policy, having a clear test is a requirement for liability cover.
Landlords can chose to undertake the test immediately or with the change of tenant, but no liability cover is in place until a clear test has been received.
What can the landlords do to reduce / prevent meth contamination to property?
Landlords or property managers need to regularly check for any signs of meth during and between tenancies. We have tighter conditions surrounding this, refer to the comprehensive
meth booklet here for warning signs of meth and our landlord obligations.