Buildings insurance: Flat owners
The freeholder will be responsible for structural issues such as the building's insurance
Good news for leaseholders; in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the freeholder is normally responsible for sorting out buildings insurance for flats. This may be done by a management company appointed by the freeholder (or by the flat owners if they collectively own the freehold).
If you own a flat, you usually pay for buildings insurance as part of the service charge. If you do, it's your right to see evidence of the policy and to inspect it.
If you're not happy with your freeholder's choice of insurer, the Housing Act 1996 gives you the right to challenge it via a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. The Leasehold Advisory Service can provide details and advice on this.
Finding cover yourself
If it's not included then it's up to you to find cover. Premiums are based on the property's rebuilding cost, so a house won't necessarily cost more to insure just because it's been converted into flats.
As with house insurance, policies for flats can be bedroom-rated (where the amount of cover is based on the number of bedrooms) or sum-insured (where cover is based on the cost of your belongings). To find the best deal, your best bet is to get quotes for both.
Owner's responsibility
Insurers prefer to provide buildings cover for the flats in a block under one policy, as it's easier to identify who's responsible for common parts like halls, stairways and the roof.
But sometimes each owner will be responsible for their own buildings insurance if, for example, a building has been converted into two self-contained flats. And in Scotland, your title deeds determine whether you arrange the insurance yourself or collectively with other flat owners.
If you rent your flat out then as the landlord you are responsible for making sure it has adequate buildings insurance.