Frequently Asked Questions

- What is landlord insurance?
  Landlord insurance is a type of insurance designed for property owners who rent out residential or commercial property to tenants. It differs from standard home insurance, which is typically not suitable for rented properties and may be invalidated if a property is let without notifying the insurer.
  Landlord insurance can be arranged to cover a range of risks specific to letting property, including damage to the building, loss of rental income, and liability for injury or damage connected to the property. The exact cover available will depend on the insurer, the type of property, and how it is let.
- What does landlord insurance cover?
  Cover varies between insurers and policies, but landlord insurance may include some or all of the following:
  - Buildings insurance: protection against structural damage caused by events such as fire, flood, storm, or subsidence
  - Contents insurance: for furniture, appliances, and fittings provided by the landlord (not tenants’ personal possessions)
  - Loss of rent: may provide financial protection if the property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event and rental income is temporarily lost
  - Property owners’ liability: covering legal costs and compensation if a tenant or visitor is injured on the property and the landlord is found liable
  - Accidental damage: for unintentional damage to the building or landlord’s contents
  - Malicious damage by tenants: subject to policy terms and insurer criteria
  - Legal expenses: assistance with legal costs relating to tenancy disputes, eviction proceedings, or property matters
  - Emergency assistance: for urgent repairs such as burst pipes, boiler breakdown, or electrical faults
  Not all of these features will be included as standard. A specialist broker can outline what a policy includes and what may be available as an optional addition.
- Why would I need landlord insurance?
  Landlord insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, standard home insurance is generally not appropriate for a property that is rented out. Many home insurance policies will not cover claims arising from tenanted occupation, and some may be invalidated entirely if the property is let without notifying the insurer.
  Most buy-to-let mortgage lenders also require buildings insurance to be in place as a condition of the mortgage.
  Beyond the practical requirements, letting property introduces risks that are different from owner-occupation, e.g. tenant-related damage, void periods, loss of income, and landlord liability are all considerations that specialist landlord insurance is designed to address.
- How much does landlord insurance cost?
  The cost of landlord insurance varies depending on a number of factors, including the type and value of the property, its location, the type of tenancy, and the level of cover required. A property let to students or on a house in multiple occupation (HMO) basis may be assessed differently from a standard single-let property, for example.
  Because premiums are assessed individually, it is not possible to give a standard figure. Speaking with a specialist broker is the most reliable way to understand what cover is available and what it may cost for your specific property or portfolio.
- Is landlord insurance a legal requirement?
  No. Landlord insurance is not legally required in the UK. However, if you have a buy-to-let mortgage, your lender may require buildings insurance as a condition of the mortgage. It is worth checking your mortgage terms carefully.
  Even where there is no legal or lender requirement, many landlords choose to arrange specialist cover to protect against the financial risks associated with letting property.
- What types of property can be covered?
  Landlord insurance can often be arranged for a wide range of property types, including:
  - Standard residential lets (houses and flats on assured shorthold tenancies)
  - Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
  - Student lets
  - Properties let to tenants on housing benefit or Universal Credit (DSS)
  - Holiday lets and short-term rental properties
  - Blocks of flats
  - Mixed-use properties with a residential letting element
  - Property portfolios – multiple properties under a single arrangement, where available
  Cover availability and terms will vary depending on the property type and insurer. A specialist broker can advise on what options may be available for your specific situation.
- Can I get landlord insurance for an HMO?
  Yes. Insurance can often be arranged for houses in multiple occupation, though HMOs are typically assessed differently from standard single-let properties due to the higher number of occupants and associated risks. Some insurers specialise in HMO cover; others apply specific conditions or exclusions.
  If your property is licensed as an HMO under local authority requirements, it is important to make sure your insurer is aware of this when arranging cover. A specialist broker can help identify insurers experienced in this area.
- What about properties let to students or DSS tenants?
  Some insurers apply restrictions around student lets or properties let to tenants receiving housing benefit or Universal Credit (sometimes referred to as DSS). However, this is not universal. Specialist brokers may be able to discuss options with insurers who are more flexible in this area.
  If you have previously had difficulty arranging cover for this type of tenancy, it is worth speaking with a specialist broker rather than assuming cover is unavailable.
- How does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 affect my landlord insurance?
  The Renters’ Rights Act introduced significant changes to the private rental sector in England, with key changes coming into force from May 2026. These include:
  - The abolition of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies – there are proposals to move towards periodic tenancy arrangements
  - The removal of Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices
  - New possession grounds under Section 8 and changes to notice periods
  These changes affect how landlords manage tenancies and, in some cases, how certain insurance features apply. Loss of rent cover and legal expenses insurance in particular are worth reviewing, as the process for regaining possession of a property has changed and proceedings may take longer than under the previous framework.
  If you have an existing policy that includes these features, it is worth discussing with your broker how the current rules may affect any future claim. If you are arranging new cover, a specialist broker can talk through what protection may be available in light of the new legislation.
- Do I need separate insurance for each property I own?
  Not necessarily. If you own multiple rental properties, it may be possible to arrange a portfolio landlord insurance policy that covers all of them under a single arrangement. This can simplify administration and renewal. Whether a portfolio policy is appropriate will depend on the number of properties, their types, and the insurers available.
  A specialist broker can advise on whether individual policies or a portfolio arrangement would be more suitable for your circumstances.
- What is loss of rent cover and when does it apply?
  Loss of rent cover is designed to provide financial protection if your property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event, such as a fire or flood, and your tenants are unable to occupy it as a result.
  It is important to note that loss of rent cover typically applies where the property cannot be occupied due to damage from an insured event. It does not generally cover void periods between tenancies or situations where a tenant simply stops paying rent. Rent guarantee insurance is a separate product that may cover non-payment of rent. A broker can explain the difference and whether both types of cover may be relevant to your situation.
- What is rent guarantee insurance and is it the same as loss of rent cover?
  These are two distinct products. Loss of rent cover applies when a property is uninhabitable due to an insured event such as fire or flood. Rent guarantee insurance is designed to protect against tenant non-payment of rent, for example, if a tenant falls into arrears or abandons the property.
  Rent guarantee insurance is sometimes available as an add-on to landlord insurance or as a standalone policy. It typically requires a tenant referencing process to have been carried out beforehand. A broker can advise on what may be available and what conditions apply.
- Does landlord insurance cover my tenants' belongings?
  No. Landlord insurance covers the landlord’s interest in the property, which typically includes the building itself and any furnishings or appliances provided by the landlord. Tenants’ personal possessions are not covered under a landlord policy. Tenants who wish to insure their own belongings should arrange their own contents insurance.
- What happens if my property is empty between tenancies?
  Standard landlord insurance policies may have conditions relating to unoccupied properties, for example, limiting cover if the property is empty for more than 30 or 60 consecutive days. It is important to check your policy terms and notify your insurer or broker if your property is likely to be vacant for an extended period.
  If your property is going to be unoccupied for a significant period, for example, during renovation or while between tenancies, specialist unoccupied property insurance may be more appropriate. A broker can advise on the options available.