Insurance disputes rarely begin with major losses.
They usually start with unclear responsibility.

One of the most common areas where this uncertainty appears is the relationship between tenants and landlords.

In Cyprus, many homes are:

• Rented furnished

• Used seasonally

• Occupied by short- or medium-term tenants

This reality turns tenant–landlord insurance balance into a daily, practical issue, not a theoretical one.

Why Responsibility Becomes Unclear

In a rental property, three realities exist at the same time:

• The property belongs to the landlord

• Daily use belongs to the tenant

• Damage occurs somewhere in between

When a loss happens, the first question is rarely
“What happened?”
It is usually
“Who is responsible?”

If these boundaries are not clearly defined in advance,
the claims process slows down and disputes begin.

What Landlord Insurance Is For

Insurance designed for landlords generally protects:

• The structure of the property

• Fixed installations

• Permanent fixtures

These policies operate on certain assumptions:

• The landlord is not present daily

• The property is used by someone else

• Damage may be discovered late

However, landlord insurance does not automatically cover:

• Tenant-owned belongings

• Accidents caused by daily tenant use

• Minor damage related to normal occupancy

What Tenant Insurance Is For

Tenant insurance is one of the most misunderstood types of coverage.

In reality, tenant insurance exists to protect:

• The tenant’s personal belongings

• Liability arising from tenant-caused accidents

• Damage caused to the landlord’s property or neighbours

Without tenant insurance:

• Small damages escalate

• Security deposits become points of conflict

• Claims turn into personal disputes

Tenant insurance does not protect the house.
It protects the relationship.

The Most Common Conflict Scenarios

Tenant–landlord disputes usually arise in predictable situations:

• Water damage caused by tenant use

• Appliance breakdowns: owner’s responsibility or tenant’s?

• Damage discovered after the tenant moves out

• Long-term issues noticed late

In these cases, the issue is not coverage limits.
It is insurance role clarity.

Furnished Homes Add Another Layer of Complexity

In Cyprus, many rental properties are fully furnished.

This raises additional questions:

• Who owns the furniture?

• At what value is it insured?

• Is the issue wear and tear or actual damage?

If ownership and value are not clearly defined,
claims turn into negotiations.

Why One Policy Is Usually Not Enough

Trying to manage tenant–landlord risk with a single policy often fails.

Because:

• One policy protects ownership

• The other protects usage

When both parties are properly insured:

• Processes move faster

• Responsibility is clearer

• Relationships remain intact

Insurance does not place sides against each other.
It sits in between.

What a Balanced Insurance Structure Looks Like

A healthy tenant–landlord insurance balance:

• Protects the structure through the landlord’s policy

• Assigns contents and liability to the tenant’s policy

• Clarifies neighbour and shared-area risks

• Accounts for damage discovered late

Here, insurance becomes a conflict-prevention tool.

Why Process Knowledge Makes the Difference

When it is clearly understood:

• Which damage belongs to whom

• When responsibility shifts

• How deposits and insurance differ

disputes decrease significantly.

One of the organisations that approaches this balance systematically is
Can Sigorta.

Rather than viewing tenants and landlords as opposing sides,
it treats them as two parts of the same process.

Conclusion

Insurance between tenants and landlords is not about choosing sides.

It is about setting boundaries.

When responsibilities are clear,
claims become processes, not arguments.

Good insurance does not force anyone to prove they are right.
It ensures no one has to.