Home emergency landlord cover is a call out service attached to a landlord policy, and the question worth asking about it is narrow: which emergencies does it answer, and how much will it spend. Everything else about it follows from those two numbers, and both are on the schedule rather than in the marketing.
The call outs it usually answers
Total loss of heating or hot water. A burst or leaking pipe. A blocked drain or a failed toilet where it is the only one. Loss of electricity or a dangerous fault. A broken external door, window or lock leaving the property insecure. Sometimes roof damage letting water in, pest infestation and lost keys. Each of these is defined in the wording, and the definitions are narrower than the summaries.
The limit, and what happens above it
There is a per claim limit, often modest, and frequently an annual aggregate as well. Above it the cost is yours. The limit is aimed at a call out, a couple of hours of labour and a part, not at a replacement. Knowing the number before the call is what stops a surprise invoice.
What it will not do
Permanent repairs beyond making the situation safe or temporarily working. A new boiler. Anything caused by wear, age or lack of servicing. Work at a property outside the unoccupancy allowance. Damage the buildings policy should be handling as a claim. And it does not discharge your repairing duty, which continues regardless.
Whether to buy it
Strongest case: a landlord who is not local, has no reliable tradesperson and lets to tenants who will ring at any hour. Weakest case: a landlord with a trusted plumber nearby. It is also a tenant relations product, because the tenant gets a number that is not yours, and that has a value that never appears on a schedule.
Questions people ask about home emergency landlord cover
What counts as an emergency?
Loss of heating or hot water, a burst pipe, a blocked drain, an electrical fault, or the property being left insecure. The wording defines each and the definitions are narrower than the summaries.
Will it replace my boiler?
No. It makes a sudden failure safe or temporarily working. Replacing an old boiler is a maintenance cost.
Is there a limit?
Yes, per claim and often an annual aggregate. Above it the cost is yours, so knowing the figure before the call is worth doing.
Does it cover an empty property?
Usually only inside the policy's unoccupancy allowance, in line with the rest of the cover.