Home essentials

THE process of owning or renting a home, then furnishing it and moving in is a long, tedious and sometimes complicated process. On top of being subjected to all the documentation to see to, there is also the job of the interior design and decoration, aside from the nittygritty of dressing individual rooms and sections of the home for a “wholesome” look.

While home decor may sound exciting to many, the actual work can be taxing. With that, we did some legwork to help make the process a little easier by sharing online recommendations on “musthaves” or basics for a home.

HOME INSURANCE

Nothing hurts more than losing your home to disasters – both natural and man-made. Your house is one of the most important and costly investments you will make in your life, so take proper measures to protect it.

According to iMoney.my, there are three main types of insurance policies: a basic fire policy, houseowner’s policy and householder’s policy. As it suggests, a basic fire policy can only protect your home against damage by fire, lightning and explosions. There is better security with a houseowner and householder policy.

A common mistake many homeowners make is to read their policy only when they need to make a claim. When looking for the right insurance package, iMoney. my advises to ask five important questions: What disasters does the policy cover? How do they define each disaster? How much will the policy cover? Does the policy provide enough insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding your house and any extra costs you might incur? In what circumstances could the insurer reject claims?

Lastly, ensure that your house is not under-insured. Under-insuring or insufficiently insuring your house happens when the policy covers less than 90% of the rebuilding costs in the event of loss or damage.

SECURITY SYSTEM

A security system is a must-have for anyone, especially in the current climate where many Malaysians believe has become increasingly dangerous. As with all technology, installing a security system requires a lot of planning. However, the need for a home security system differs depending on whether you are the landlord or the boarder/renter.

For renters, it would be best to consider a wireless system that can be removed easily when you move or customised to fit the changes from house-to-house. Companies that require a long-term contract will also be impractical for renters. Service providing firm Kaodim advises to ask these questions when considering a security system: Is the system user-friendly? Does the system come with a maintenance plan to cover parts and servicing? Does it come with rechargeable backup battery? Is it connected to a 24-hour monitoring centre? Who does the monitoring and what is their experience and reputation?

Other security measures to take