Q&A:
TENRISK PRODUCT – SINGLE POLICY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: TENRISK PRODUCT – SINGLE POLICY
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1. What do we do?
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We help landlords protect their income even if the tenant has to be evicted.
Keep in mind that insurance cannot cover each scenario. We have developed the product for the greatest risk and that is a tenant who defaults on the lease and does not vacate the property. This brings forth the greatest risk and damage to a landlord.
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2. What is the difference between the Eviction Legal policy and Rental Income Cover policy?
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Eviction Legal policy: We will appoint experienced attorneys to handle all legal processes of eviction and provide legal costs of up to R120 000. We do not recover loss of rental in this product.
Rental Income Cover: We will appoint experienced attorneys to handle all legal processes of eviction and provide legal costs of up to R120 000. This policy will also provide cover for loss of rental. We do not recover loss of rental from the Tenant in a legal process.
3. How much rental loss is covered?
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We cover 50% (Excess fee according to policy wording applies) of the rental loss of the first month, where after 100% of the rental loss for a period up to 5 months in the case of a tenant needing eviction. After eviction, payments will cease.
We cover 50% of the rental loss of the first month in the event that the tenant has absconded.
4. What is the cost of the Insurance?
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If you take the legal policy, the monthly premium is R120.00 per month.
If you take the rental loss policy, the monthly premium is 3.5% of the rent.
5. Does the policy cover utilities?
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No. The policy only covers rental loss and the eviction costs.
6. Will the utilities and damages be demanded from the tenant?
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Yes. The letter of demand as well as the eviction papers will include the outstanding utilities and any amount that is payable by the tenant, but only the rental loss and the eviction costs are covered by this policy.
7. Can I get cover for rental loss more than R15 000.00 per month?
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Yes. Further information may be required and after consideration of possible risk, the cover may be increased.
8. How does the excess work?
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The landlord does not have to physically make payment to us for the excess. The excess is subtracted from the first payment of rental loss.
E.g. The monthly rental is R10 000.00.
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If the tenant defaults and remain in the property, the pay-out to the landlord will be as follows:
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Month one: R10 000.00 minus 50% excess = R5 000.00
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Month two: R10 000.00
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Month three: R10 000.00
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Payment stops if the tenant vacates the property, either self or by way of legal process.
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If the tenant defaults:
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One-month abscondment is paid in terms of the policy:
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Thus: R10 000.00 minus the excess = R5 000.00
9. May I use the deposit for outstanding rent?
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On the expiration of the lease, the landlord may apply the deposit and interest (if applicable) towards the payment of all amounts for which the tenant is liable including :
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reasonable cost of repair of damages to the property (excluding fair wear and tear);
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unpaid/arrear rent;
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unpaid/arrear utilities;
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other costs agreed to between the parties in the lease agreement.
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In terms of the Rental Housing Act a tenant can’t request a set off of the last month’s rental against the deposit. This does however not preclude a landlord from utilising the deposit for any arrear rental amount, but is not advisable. The deposit is security for any damage to the property and if it is used to cover the last month’s rent, the landlord will have nothing to cover possible damage. It is more difficult to issue summons and claim damages than it is to claim for outstanding rent (as the latter is a liquid claim and damages must be proven).
10. Whom must I contact to lodge a claim?
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Call or email us
Office: 0871 700 189
Cellular: 063 772 2012
11. When must I lodge a claim if the tenant is in arrears?
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Within 7 business days from date of breach.
12. What is the usual turn-around for claim pay-out?
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The date of payment is only an estimate:
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Payment for the first month: Beginning of the second month.
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Payment for month 2 and onwards. At the end of each month.
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We must confirm that the tenant has not made any payments during the month.
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We must receive all information needed as per the claim form.
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Note: We must receive the claim documentation and cancel the rental agreement.
13. What happens if a tenant pays after a claim has been lodged?
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If paid to attorneys, attorneys will refund the landlord and discard the claim.
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If paid to landlord, proof must be sent to us to discard the claim.
14. What supporting document must I submit to lodge a claim?
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As per the requirements on the claim form.
15. Can the landlord send the Letter of Demand to the tenant if the tenant is late for payment?
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No. Letter of Demand must be actioned by our appointed attorneys. If you should send a letter of demand and it is not legally correct we have to re-issue the demand. This may also bring forth part or non-payment of your claim.
16. What must I do when the lease agreement expires?
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If the lease agreement will be renewed, contact us so the necessary update can be noted on your policy.
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If the lease agreement is expires and the tenant vacates the property, contact us to cancel the policy.
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If a new tenant occupies the property, contact us to vet the tenant for insurance purposes. We will amend you policy with the new tenant. Note: If you do not contact us with the details of the new tenant, this may nullify the cover.
17. Am I covered for rental loss if eviction is made impossible by law?
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No. The policy cannot answer if there is legislation that makes eviction impossible. We will either suspend or cancel the policy if this occurs.
18. What happens when R120 000 legal fee cover depletes but the eviction process is still not finalised?
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Landlord will be liable for accounts over and above, although this rarely happens.
19. Can the landlord initiate cancellation after the claim is lodged?
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No. Our appointed attorneys will initiate it.
20. Is the landlord covered for any repair cost?
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No.
21. Can the claim be processed if landlord is not in South Africa?
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Yes. Claims can only be paid into a South African bank account.
22. Is the landlord covered if the unit is sublet?
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Yes. If the sublessee is approved by us.
23. If the tenant vacates the unit without a legally notice period, and the landlords is left tenant-less, is the landlord covered for up to 1 month abscondment?
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Yes. Excess fee will be deducted from the first month rental loss pay-out, equivalent to 50% of rental loss.
24. Can a rental agent act on behalf of the landlord to lodge a claim?
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Yes, only when the agent has the mandate to do so.
25. Will the policy evict a tenant for other reasons than non-payment?
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No, the policy only provide cover when the reason for cancellation is when there is non-payment of rental.
26. Is the landlord’s or tenant’s personal information protected by the insurance company?
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Yes, the personal information will only be accessed for policy related purposes
If you should have any further questions, feel free to contact us at:
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