Yes, as a tenant, you are required to have fire insurance since 2019. This insures you if there is damage to your rental property due to fire or water. Because you live there, it is suspected that you caused the damage. Therefore, you have to pay for the damage. Is your contract from before 2019? Then we also strongly recommend that you get fire insurance.
How do you take out fire insurance?
You can take out fire insurance yourself. Or fire insurance may be included in your lease. Check your contract carefully first.
- You take out your own fire insurance with an insurance company.
- You are required to have insurance for damage to the rental property.
- Do you live in an apartment block or a row house? Then you must also insure yourself against damage to the “adjoining houses”: the houses next to, below or above your rental home.
- You can also take out extra insurance: for example, against damage to your own belongings or against theft.
- Do you live with several people in one rental home? Then you can take out fire insurance together. Each occupant must be listed on the insurance contract.
- Sometimes fire insurance is included in your rental contract. This is called 'afstand van verhaal'.
- The landlord cannot sue you to pay the costs in the event of fire or water damage.
- As a tenant, you are not insured for damage to other homes, damage to your belongings or in case of theft. Do you want to be insured for that too? Then take out additional insurance.
Your insurance contract is automatically renewed every year.
Is there fire or water damage?
Contact the landlord and your insurer as soon as possible.
What if you want to stop the insurance?
You can cancel the insurance contract 3 months before the end date.
Are you moving to another rental property? Then notify your insurer of your new address. Contact your insurer for more information.
