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Private Rental Sector Policy

The Q Policy is a structural warranty for new build, refurbished and converted properties which puts quality build and customer service first.

At Q we understand that developers and investors need to build or convert properties to serve a range of housing needs, including private rental properties, student accommodation and permitted development schemes. Above all, these schemes must provide quality properties of the highest standards.

By being on-site more than any other warranty provider, we offer a highly risk-managed, quality focussed, flexible insurance approach, designed to meet the needs of all types of projects.

Key Features: The Q Policy for Private Rental Sector

Designed to meet your needs

Q understands the requirements of property developers and as such has designed a policy to be of maximum benefit and minimum hassle, streamlining it to suit your needs, providing insolvency cover as standard during the Defects Liability Period, loss of rent cover available*, and above all a warranty which provides no-fault redress for structural defects (rather than relying on collateral warranties and proving negligence).

In certain cases, depending upon the underwriter of the policy, we may also be able to offer cover for 12 years.

* availability may depend upon the financial stability of the Builder.

Our Site Visits

During the build process, we carry out regular physical inspections of each property* we insure on behalf of the underwriter.

These visits are to ensure that the property meets our Technical Requirements and is fit for insurance purposes.

While these visits are not to guarantee the quality of the works, our site surveyors are experienced and knowledgeable, so when we accept a property for insurance cover, it means we are satisfied that it has been built in accordance with good building practice.

*If a property has already commenced or is completed when we are asked to provide a quotation, we may not have the opportunity to inspect it at the same frequent intervals as a property which has not yet been started.

Registered Members

Under The Q Policy, underwriters only insure new homes which are built by companies registered with Q.

This means we assess the financial & technical competence of each company we work with and ask them to sign up to a Terms of Business Agreement which sets out their responsibilities to the insurer and what they can expect from us and the insurer.

Refurbishment & Conversion Specialists

Our policies have been developed with the challenges of refurbishment & conversion in mind: we assess each project on its individual merits, applying requirements which are proportionate and necessary with the full support of an experienced surveyor.

When we insure a conversion or refurbishment, we will include the existing structure in the overall cover.

What does the Private Rental Sector Policy cover?

Our structural warranties aim to be easy to follow and provide certain insurance cover for the owners of the buildings for 10-12 years following completion of the build period. Each warranty is slightly different depending upon the underwriter of the policy, but typically they include cover for the following:

Defects Liability Period

During the two year period following completion of the build, the Developer or Builder is responsible for arranging the repair of any Defects identified and reported by a Policyholder.

The Q Policy will respond if the Developer / Builder fails to rectify known Defects because they are no longer able to due to fraud or insolvency, subject to the conditions of the policy.