Home insurance warning over cannabis farms

Unwary landlords could be at risk of having their property damaged by a cannabis farm, one home insurance firm has warned.

Norwich Union settled around 60 home insurance claims relating to the matter in 2007, with the cost of claims topping £1 million.

Mike Colmans, underwriting manager at the home insurance firm, warned that landlords who do fall victim to cannabis farmers might have problems making a claim .

If their property is damaged by tenants using it for the production of cannabis, they may not be covered if they haven't taken ‘reasonable precautions' to prevent it happening, the home insurance expert warned.

Property owners must make sure they vet potential tenants thoroughly and carry out regular inspections of the property, he added.

Doing this is more than worth while as it will mean they are covered if they need to make a home insurance claim because of something a resident has done, Mr Colmans stated.

Recently, the Post Office warned those living in flood-prone areas to make sure that any expensive items they might own are covered by their home insurance.

It also advised people that their home insurance firm will expect them to do all they can to avoid things being damaged in the first place.