Renter's insurance, etc.

[med88]

I live in Iowa.

My landlord insists I get renter's insurance. Can I be found in breach of the lease if I end up not gettiing it? Shouldn't this be my decision? Yes, I think it's a necessity but I've never heard of a landlord requiring it.

Also, before I moved into the house, it was agreed my landlord would remove all of her belongings. I've been in the house for two months and she has made no effort to remove other than to call and say she still needs to get it moved. At what point can I do something about all of her stuff left behind that is in the way of me getting my belongings stored/put away.

And, finally, I have complained there is an issue with water pressure - if I am doing laundry, then there is no pressure in any of the faucets in the house. First she said she never had the problem when she lived there. But she did say she called the plumber and he hasn't returned the call - that was a month ago. Is this getting to the point where I can call a plumber, get it fixed and send her the bill? I have two kids so I need to have decent water pressure because I am ALWAYS doing laundry, dishes, cleaning... or so it seems.

Thank you.

 

[seniorjudge]

I live in Iowa.

My landlord insists I get renter's insurance. Can I be found in breach of the lease if I end up not gettiing it? Shouldn't this be my decision? Yes, I think it's a necessity but I've never heard of a landlord requiring it.

Also, before I moved into the house, it was agreed my landlord would remove all of her belongings. I've been in the house for two months and she has made no effort to remove other than to call and say she still needs to get it moved. At what point can I do something about all of her stuff left behind that is in the way of me getting my belongings stored/put away.

And, finally, I have complained there is an issue with water pressure - if I am doing laundry, then there is no pressure in any of the faucets in the house. First she said she never had the problem when she lived there. But she did say she called the plumber and he hasn't returned the call - that was a month ago. Is this getting to the point where I can call a plumber, get it fixed and send her the bill? I have two kids so I need to have decent water pressure because I am ALWAYS doing laundry, dishes, cleaning... or so it seems.

Thank you.

What does your written lease say about all your questions?

 

[med88]

She (landlord) wrote on the lease I was to have renter's insurance. The agreement to remove her stuff was verbal and not written in the lease. And the plumbing issue - not directly addressed in the lease since I didn't know there was an issue until after I moved in.

So I guess I am curious as to why she insists I have renter's insurance. Geez I hope she doesn't plan on burning the place down or something. The reason I am renting her house is b/c she couldn't afford it (in a historical area...).

 

[HomeGuru]

She (landlord) wrote on the lease I was to have renter's insurance.

**A: then you answered your own question.

 

[FarmerJ]

As far as your rental units water pressure goes contact your city water dept and ask them to perform a pressure and leak test. If by chance there is a leak in the line between the meter and the home that in itself can cause a poor flow. Wich your city would make the LL address the issue. If your home has a ancient non copper water line from house or meter to the street and the city determines the pressure is fine but the flow is reduced due to age and the inside of the pipe being narrowed, then you will have to learn if your city has any ordinances that spell out when a water line must be replaced under such conditions. If the pressure and the flow is ok at the meter but the problem still happens then perhaps with all the above done , when you send your LL written report with your letter formally complaing of the problem in writting certified mail then the LL should take notice.

 

[Who's Liable?]

She (landlord) wrote on the lease I was to have renter's insurance. The agreement to remove her stuff was verbal and not written in the lease. And the plumbing issue - not directly addressed in the lease since I didn't know there was an issue until after I moved in.

So I guess I am curious as to why she insists I have renter's insurance. Geez I hope she doesn't plan on burning the place down or something. The reason I am renting her house is b/c she couldn't afford it (in a historical area...).

As stated before, you have answered your own question...

If your lease states you must have renter's insurance, than you MUST have renters insurance... You could be evicted for violating the terms of the lease...

The minute you have an accident in your apartment, you will be required to pay for the damage out of your OWN pocket...

 

[Mister Darcy]

You should have the renter's insurance anyway for your own protection.

 

[fairlight]

You already state in the first part of your post that renter's insurance is a necessity. Why, then, is it an issue because the landlord supports your good sense by requiring her tenants to have it?

I'm required by terms of my lease to have renter's insurance, possibly because there have been problems in the past with damage of one kind or another that the tenant automatically expected the landlord's insurance to cover.