When you’re getting a Landlord Insurance policy, you’ll be asked about your property type. You’ll have 9 options to choose from:
- Bungalow
- House (detached)
- House (semi-detached)
- House (terrace)
- Individual flat
- Block of flats
- Converted flats
- Land only
- Mansion
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house that’s defining feature is the fact that it’s all on one level. Some bungalows may have an additional level if the owners have chosen to convert the roof space into rooms. Bungalows also often have sloping roofs and dormer style windows.
Bungalows are well-known for being more accessible and this property type can range from traditional to modern in design and are often found in suburban or rural areas.
House (detached)
A detached house is simple: this is a residential property that stands entirely on its own and doesn’t share any walls with another property.
Detached properties are widely popular and are the most private type of property you can buy. Typically, these properties:
- Are situated on larger plots of land
- Are more than one floor
- Have a private front and back door
- Have both front and rear gardens
House (semi-detached)
Semi-detached houses are houses that share one wall with another property. Otherwise, semi-detached houses are very similar to detached ones in the sense that:
- They are usually more than one level
- They are fairly private
- They have their own front and back door
- They have a front and rear garden
House (terrace)
There are a few defining features that must be present for a house to be considered ‘terraced’. These are:
- It must be an individual house that shares walls with another house on both sides (terraced) or on one side (end of terrace)
- There must be multiple of the same houses built in a continue line
- All of these houses are typically 2-3 floors
If your property falls on either end of this row of houses, it is still considered terraced, though you’ll likely hear it more commonly called ‘end of terrace’.
Individual flat
Flats are very simple: a single property that self-contained properties within a larger building. The key thing to note here is that ‘flats’ are not individual rooms, but an entire property, and have the following defining features:
- They’re entirely self-contained and private
- That have their own kitchen, bathroom and often a living space
- They are single floor
- They share common areas – such as hallways, stairways and outdoor spaces – with other flats
- They usually don’t have a private back entrance or garden space
It’s common that the entire block of flats will be insured by a common policy due the potential issues with common walls, foundations or roofs. These premises are usually bought through leasehold rather than freehold and held for extended periods of time, for example 99 or 125 year leases.
Block of flats
A block of flats is the next step up from a single flat. This refers to the entire building that houses more than 1 flat, rather than the individual properties themselves. These have been specifically built for multiple residencies, are usually multi-story and must contain 2 or more individual flats to be considered a ‘block’.
They’re most commonly found in cities and towns, and typically the owner of the ‘block’ is responsible for the shared common areas, such as hallways, stairwells, and communal gardens or parking areas. The owner of the block may, or may not, be responsible for the individual flats within.
Who is responsible for the property depends on whether it’s controlled by the Freeholder or Leaseholder(s):
- Freeholders own both the building and the land it sits on, with no time limit on their ownership
- Leaseholders have the right to use a property under the terms of a lease.
To learn more, read our handy guide: Leaseholds and Buildings Insurance: A Full Guide | AXA UK
AXA Commercial Direct don’t currently offer cover for these type of buildings or converted block of flats.
Please note: If you’re covered under a block policy you should not also cover your property individually as there are potential issues with dual insurance and claims settlements occurring.
Converted block of flats
Converted blocks of flats, are blocks of flats that have been converted from their original purpose. Examples of this are when a larger residential or commercial buildings (warehouses or factories) are converted into multiple individual living.
Converted flats are very similar to normal flats in the sense that they are self-contained properties with a private kitchen, bathroom and living space. Where they differ is in their construction.
flats are purpose-built for residential use, and most commonly found on a ‘block’ of flats that are all the same in structure, size and purpose.
Some examples include flats that now exist in buildings that used to be:
- Commercial buildings – such as offices or shops
- Industrial buildings – such as warehouses or factories
- Religious buildings – such as churches
Mansion
Mansions houses are larger, detached properties that are historically built in substantial grounds usually away from conurbations
While most standard houses can range from 1 bedroom to 4 or 5, mansions typically have rooms in the double digits. They also often have extra rooms such as – second living spaces, entertainment rooms, swimming pools etc.
These types of properties usually have a minimum of between 5,000 and 8,000 sq. ft of space depending on their location.
Land only
A ‘land only’ property can be misleading to some due to its name. ‘Land only’ is exactly what you would expect – it is ownership of just the land. There may be structures on the land, but the owner may not wish to insure these.
Ready to get a quote?
We hope this handy guide has given you some insight into the different types of property that you can choose when getting your Landlord Insurance quote.
If you’re ready, you can simply click the button below to start your quote online.