Landlords Urged to Protect Properties During Cold Weather

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has issued guidelines on how to protect properties from the effects of cold weather, after last winter saw a large spike in claims due to frozen pipes bursting.

NLA Property Insurance saw a 48% increase in claims during December 2010 and January 2011, for damage caused by weather-related flooding in rented properties.

Landlords can take simple steps to reduce the risk of flooding including:

•    Ensure all pipes are adequately insulated
•    Check overflow pipes are correctly connected and not blocked
•    Leave the heating on a low setting if the property is vacated for any period during winter
•    Give the tenant an emergency contact phone number
•    If flooding does occur, ensure repairs are done as quickly as possible.

Steve Barnes, Broking Manager, NLA Property Insurance, commented:

“Landlords should ensure their properties are properly protected during winter.  Last year’s extreme cold resulted in a spate of claims due to frozen pipes bursting.

“It is vital landlords have the correct and up-to-date insurance in case the unthinkable happens.”

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, commented:

“Flooding can cause many thousands of pounds in damage to a property and make it uninhabitable for the tenant.  Landlords should protect their property and their investment by ensuring that they have a policy that covers them for such damage.”

For more information on how to protect your property from the effects of cold weather, download Spotlight, the NLA’s free guide for landlords by visiting www.landlords.org.uk/spotlight

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Dane Svenson, Press Officer
0207 840 8925
dane.svenson@landlords.org.uk


NOTES TO EDITORS:
The National Landlords Association (NLA) is the UK’s leading organisation for private-residential landlords. It has over 20,000 paid-up members, ranging from full-time landlords with large property portfolios to those with just a single letting. NLA membership helps landlords make a success of their lettings business by providing a wide range of information, advice and services. The NLA campaigns for the legitimate interests of landlords by seeking to influence decision-makers at all levels of government and by making landlords’ collective voice heard in the media. It seeks to raise standards in the private-rented sector while aiming to ensure that landlords are aware of their statutory rights and responsibilities. Based at its head office in Central London, the NLA currently employs over 40 full-time staff and has a network of more than 40 regional representatives and branches throughout the UK.