Can a landlord ask for renter's insurance mid-lease?
Started by polydoa
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 152
Member since: Feb 2009
Discussion about
My rental building (large "luxury" building in Chelsea) was recently sold to a different managment company. The new landlord sent out a memo saying that they require all tenants to have renter's insurance (for a minimum $50,000 liability) and cited the website of a company that would supply it (they also said you could get your own insurance through another company, but would need to show proof... [more]
My rental building (large "luxury" building in Chelsea) was recently sold to a different managment company. The new landlord sent out a memo saying that they require all tenants to have renter's insurance (for a minimum $50,000 liability) and cited the website of a company that would supply it (they also said you could get your own insurance through another company, but would need to show proof that you had it). At the website, the insurer is providing "special" rates to the leasing company's buildings and would cost around $100 a year. My feeling is that this is an extra kickback for the new landlord and a cheap way to get another $100 from us.
Besides the fact that they would have to pro-rate the cost for the amount of time left on my lease, my question is: can a landlord demand renter's insurance mid-lease, when this was not stated in the original lease contract?
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Response by inonada
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 7952
Member since: Oct 2008
First, I don't think that's renters insurance: renter's insurance is usuaally reserved for insuring the renter's stuff in case of fire, theft, etc. What you are talking about there is property liability insurance or something to that effect. Second, they cannot make you add it mid-lease. Send a memo to the landlord stating it's your policy to reduce the rent you pay by $50 a month if the apartment changes hands.
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Response by inonada
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 7952
Member since: Oct 2008
I should also note that if you read your lease, it probably says you are liable for damages caused to your apartment. E.g., if you somehow cause $50K of damage to your place, the LL may be able to come after you. The insurance does have a place and purpose, but they cannot require that you add it after-the-fact.
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Response by polydoa
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 152
Member since: Feb 2009
thanks, inonada.
yeah it is liability insurance for damages to another's property, but for some reason they call it "renter's insurance" in their paperwork.
i agree with you that it should not happen mid-lease. i am not going to be that aggressive yet (i.e., saying that my policy is to reduce the rent by $50 a month - although i like that idea!), but i will ignore them and see how far they will go with this. then, when it comes time to renew the lease, i will be asking for a $100 off the year's rent to offset this (in addition to other reductions, concessions, etc. that i will be asking due to the weak rental market).
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Response by julia
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 2841
Member since: Feb 2007
i always take out renter's insurance...it's not that much I think $300 for the year.
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Response by wellheythere
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 166
Member since: Dec 2008
Renter's insurance usually covers both the tenant's personal property and damage to the building caused by the tenant, in my experience. It's not a bad idea, and $100 a year is a great rate (assuming the coverage is decent) but they can't force you to take out a policy unless it's required by your lease. It's that simple.
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Response by maly
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 1377
Member since: Jan 2009
They can't enforce it mid lease, but that said, renter's insurance is a really good idea. It's pretty cheap and covers your belongings and some liability (mine covered my property in rental cars, for example.)
$100 is pretty cheap, but then again it depends what they cover and how reputable they are.
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Response by JohnDoe
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 449
Member since: Apr 2007
If you're planning to stay in the apartment, I'm not sure it's worth alienating the mgmt co. over this. After all, they don't have to renew your lease once it's up (and, notwithstanding a weak rental market, they might decide it's not worth the trouble to have a difficult tenant).
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Response by truthskr10
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 4088
Member since: Jul 2009
A landlord can ask, they cannot require.
That being said, it's not a bad idea to have, and the rate sounds cheap but as other's have posted, it depends on what the coverage is(read the fine print) and which insurance company it is with. Would you want any policy no matter how small with AIG?
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Response by somewhereelse
almost 16 years ago
Posts: 7435
Member since: Oct 2009
> First, I don't think that's renters insurance
My renter's insurance - which I got for the coverage of my "stuff" - also includes liability in it as well. I think thats pretty standard.
Given that I pay like $150 a year for it, with coverage for all my stuff, I'm not sure why anybody wouldn't do it...
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Response by anonymous
almost 16 years ago
Renter's insurance is generally a good idea.
But as to the question, read your lease.
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Response by AnonymousRenter
about 7 years ago
Posts: 0
Member since: Oct 2018
I have the same question as OP. My landlord says they will automatically enroll me into their chosen insurance provider if I do not show proof that I enrolled within 30 days.
What legal authority in California is in my favor? Is it general contract law? Can I withhold the amount as initially suggested above?
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First, I don't think that's renters insurance: renter's insurance is usuaally reserved for insuring the renter's stuff in case of fire, theft, etc. What you are talking about there is property liability insurance or something to that effect. Second, they cannot make you add it mid-lease. Send a memo to the landlord stating it's your policy to reduce the rent you pay by $50 a month if the apartment changes hands.
I should also note that if you read your lease, it probably says you are liable for damages caused to your apartment. E.g., if you somehow cause $50K of damage to your place, the LL may be able to come after you. The insurance does have a place and purpose, but they cannot require that you add it after-the-fact.
thanks, inonada.
yeah it is liability insurance for damages to another's property, but for some reason they call it "renter's insurance" in their paperwork.
i agree with you that it should not happen mid-lease. i am not going to be that aggressive yet (i.e., saying that my policy is to reduce the rent by $50 a month - although i like that idea!), but i will ignore them and see how far they will go with this. then, when it comes time to renew the lease, i will be asking for a $100 off the year's rent to offset this (in addition to other reductions, concessions, etc. that i will be asking due to the weak rental market).
i always take out renter's insurance...it's not that much I think $300 for the year.
Renter's insurance usually covers both the tenant's personal property and damage to the building caused by the tenant, in my experience. It's not a bad idea, and $100 a year is a great rate (assuming the coverage is decent) but they can't force you to take out a policy unless it's required by your lease. It's that simple.
They can't enforce it mid lease, but that said, renter's insurance is a really good idea. It's pretty cheap and covers your belongings and some liability (mine covered my property in rental cars, for example.)
$100 is pretty cheap, but then again it depends what they cover and how reputable they are.
If you're planning to stay in the apartment, I'm not sure it's worth alienating the mgmt co. over this. After all, they don't have to renew your lease once it's up (and, notwithstanding a weak rental market, they might decide it's not worth the trouble to have a difficult tenant).
A landlord can ask, they cannot require.
That being said, it's not a bad idea to have, and the rate sounds cheap but as other's have posted, it depends on what the coverage is(read the fine print) and which insurance company it is with. Would you want any policy no matter how small with AIG?
> First, I don't think that's renters insurance
My renter's insurance - which I got for the coverage of my "stuff" - also includes liability in it as well. I think thats pretty standard.
Given that I pay like $150 a year for it, with coverage for all my stuff, I'm not sure why anybody wouldn't do it...
Renter's insurance is generally a good idea.
But as to the question, read your lease.
I have the same question as OP. My landlord says they will automatically enroll me into their chosen insurance provider if I do not show proof that I enrolled within 30 days.
What legal authority in California is in my favor? Is it general contract law? Can I withhold the amount as initially suggested above?