Public liability insurance with coverage of as much as £5 million will be shouldered by beach hut owners in Budleigh Salterton if East Devon District Council’s plan pushes through.
A report by Exmouth Journal said the move would force owners with units on rented sites to provide public liability insurance on top of new lease agreements.
Explaining the proposal, a spokesperson for the council said, “It is the case that many of the beach huts provided by the council are, historically, covered under the council’s block insurance policy and the individual cost of premiums is reflected in the rent paid by the users/occupiers. The position whereby the licensee provides the beach hut currently differs from this.”
The council also wants assurances that structures on council land, including those sublet to others, carry adequate public liability insurance to provide cover for losses and/or injuries in the event of damage being caused to adjoining property or to members of the public using the premises or adjoining council land.
The journal said the plan has drawn criticism, with one beach hut owner claiming the council was being more and more difficult following controversial rent hikes in 2016.
