New and existing private sector landlords can expect much
more from their revised ARAG legal protection policy without ever making a
claim. Landlords Legal Solutions has been completely re-written and now
includes more free legal documents from its digital documents service as well
as higher benefits and fewer restrictions or excesses.
Our landlords' policy was already the complete package and you
don't spoil a winning formula but you do make important improvements around the
edges. Key to this approach is the use of even clearer language, generous
uplifts in benefits and the removal of excesses or other complications.
We want policyholders to know exactly what they are getting
cover for and to make use of the free added-value services such as helplines
and document services. Experience tells us that these additional services are
highly valued, giving significant peace-of-mind to landlords, and helping
agents retain business even when no claim has been made.
Substantial increases have been made to benefits. Alternative
accommodation for landlords when vacant possession is impossible now stands at
up to £175 per day, maximum £5250, with storage refunds up to a maximum of £300
also being covered.
Standard cover includes:
repossession; property damage, nuisance and trespass (now without
any excess); recovery of rent arrears; accommodation and storage costs;
prosecution defence; plus the landlords' legal service website online law
guide, monthly newsletter, tax and 24-hour legal helplines. Legal documents available
free to landlords now include the licence agreement to rent a room, plus the
most commonly needed customisable texts such as the initial letter concerning
rent arrears, the demand for rent from tenants, plus section 8 and 21
notices(notice to quit, notice of repossession).
Three optional extensions remove worries over
non-payment of rent, disputes over contracts or the tax affairs of the
policyholder. Rental indemnities are offered with a choice of compensation for
5 of the first six months in arrears or 11 out of 12 months on a yearly option.
Contracts for such work as construction, or designing, converting or extending
any building, are covered up to £6000 including VAT. The cost of
defending investigations into landlords' tax affairs by HMRC can also be added
to the cover.
David Haynes
Head of Underwriting &
Marketing
