Building insurance after the Hillfoot Street fire
Jesse posted on the 26/08/2014 3:52:48 PM
Hi, has anyone else noted an increase in insurance premiums in Dennistoun, following the fire last November in Hillfoot Street?
From what I hear, properties in Dennistoun Village (Finlay Drive and Whitehill Court) have found it difficult to get insurance, with only one provider willing to offer cover. Premiums have doubled from the previous year to almost £500 per year per property. Not sure if it is impacting the tenements or other new build developments?
- 10 Replies :
#1 - anon replied on the 26/08/2014 11:34:28 PM
As a resident of Dennistoun Village, I can confirm that your understanding is pretty much correct.
#2 - birthday boy replied on the 30/08/2014 1:45:50 PM
my insurance has not been affected maybe its your wiring ect that causes the increase I know they are quite severe if your wiring is not up to standard thank goodness I got mine done
#3 - Jesse replied on the 2/09/2014 10:17:32 AM
Are you in a tenement flat? I think they tend to be of better construction than the new flats.
I wonder if the flats that caught fire were up to current standards as that fire did spread quickly and effectively destroyed two blocks within one hour. Lucky no one was killed.
I think new build flats, like those in Finlay Drive and Whitehill Court, will be badly effected from this fire for years to come by high insurance premiums.
#4 - anon replied on the 4/09/2014 10:24:34 PM
"...they tend to be of better construction than the new flats."
Define 'better'. As a resident in a fairly recently built flat, I'll very happily compare my energy bills with anyone in a tenement. I can use thumbs to count the times I've been even remotely aware of noise from a flat above, below or to the side of me in the past few years. Quite enjoy the trouble-free car parking, too. Etc.
Sure, there are things you tend to get from a tenement flat - bigger rooms, larger windows, maybe some nice traditional features. And some new-builds constructed in the mid 20th century weren't of the best specification (and then subject to a below par approach to maintenance). But with building standards these days, the "tenement = better construction" thing is a bit of a dead end theory.
"...destroyed two blocks within one hour."
In terms of this fire, I understand that it was on the top floor, to the rear of the building (i.e. not the most accessible to the fire service). So it didn't have to get very far at all before it destroyed the roof. And a building without a roof is very susceptible to the highly damaging effects of water. Initially from the fire service putting the fire out. And then from day after day of heavy rain.
With all that in mind, the "...up to current standards" musing feels a little redundant. But should that be the case, any shortcoming in design or construction would have been picked up and remedied by the factor in the other blocks, and I'm not aware of anything like that having happened.
#5 - Jesse replied on the 5/09/2014 1:57:30 PM
Well of course, fire is a real risk to any property and tenements can be effected as much as a newer build property.
Tenements do lack the same standard of insulation as new builds, and can be more costly to maintain.
However, the actual construction is much better, and the tenements have lasted a long time. I can't see many of the new build properties in Glasgow lasting as long as the tenements. Look at the disaster which is the Wallace Street development! Thankfully Dennistoun doesn't have any developments like that.
#6 - Jay replied on the 10/09/2014 7:25:15 PM
would it be cheaper to insure as a block, rather than individual?
#7 - anon replied on the 17/10/2014 1:03:37 PM
If the insurance people go visiting these buildings they may have some questions. Currently one building has a couch abandoned in the close, which was the cause of the last fire. The buildings which were on fire have people smoking the corridors constantly still. So it really is dangerous.
#8 - CuriousCat replied on the 18/10/2014 2:00:28 PM
Jesse is this buildings insurance? We're in a tenement (unfactored) and insure through the RBS and ours actually reduces year on year. Maybe shop around a bit more?
#9 - CuriousCat replied on the 18/10/2014 2:00:31 PM
Jesse is this buildings insurance? We're in a tenement (unfactored) and insure through the RBS and ours actually reduces year on year. Maybe shop around a bit more?
#10 - Dennistonian replied on the 21/10/2014 12:24:30 PM
I'm in Dennistoun Village (Whitehill Court)and never had a problem with insurance. I'm with Direct Line
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