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22 January 2026
Hub page introduction, criteria and FAQs added
12 December 2024
First Published
A quick overview of landlord insurance
Landlord insurance is a specialist type of cover designed to protect property owners who rent out their homes to tenants. Unlike standard home insurance, it covers the specific risks associated with rental activities, such as liability claims from tenants and loss of rental income.
You can read more about how it works in our complete guide to landlord insurance.
Key features of landlord insurance
Here is a rundown of the key components of landlord insurance and the rules around it:
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Can be purchased as Landlord Buildings insurance, Landlord Contents insurance, or a combined policy
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Covers "Property Owners’ Liability" (often up to £2m or £5m) in case a tenant or visitor is injured on your property
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Can include Loss of Rent cover to protect your income if the property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event (like a fire or flood)
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Optional add-ons often include Rent Guarantee (pays if tenants stop paying) and Legal Expenses cover
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Most policies have specific rules regarding unoccupied periods, typically reducing cover if the property is empty for more than 30 or 60 days between tenancies
Eligibility criteria and other requirements
To qualify for landlord insurance in the UK, you generally need to own the property but not live in it yourself. You must usually have a signed tenancy agreement in place (such as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy) with your tenants.
Policies are available for various landlord types, from "accidental landlords" renting to family, to portfolio landlords with multiple properties.
This table highlights the factors that impact a policy’s cost and likelihood of acceptance.
|
Factor |
Impact & Key Insurer Checks |
|
Tenant Type |
Renting to "high-risk" groups like students or benefit recipients (DSS) often leads to higher premiums than renting to professionals. |
|
Location |
Areas with high crime rates or flood risks typically attract higher insurance costs. |
|
Property Type |
Non-standard properties (e.g., thatched roofs, listed buildings) or HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) often require specialist cover. |
|
Claims History |
A history of recent claims on your rental properties can see you flagged as higher risk, increasing your premium. |
|
Occupancy |
Long periods without tenants (void periods) can invalidate standard cover or require Unoccupied Property Insurance. |
|
Security |
Installing approved locks, alarms, and fire safety systems can reduce your risk profile and lower your premium. |
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FAQs
No, landlord insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, if you have a buy-to-let mortgage, your lender will almost certainly make it a mandatory condition of your loan to have at least buildings insurance in place.
Standard policies cover damage caused by fire, flood, or storms, but they often exclude accidental or malicious damage caused by tenants unless you specifically add it. "Malicious damage by tenants" is a common optional extra that protects you if a tenant intentionally vandalises your property.
Yes, if you are receiving rent from them. Even if you trust your family members, standard home insurance usually does not cover properties where "tenants" live, meaning a claim could be rejected. You effectively become a landlord the moment you accept rent, requiring the correct insurance to protect your asset and liability.
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF CONSOLIDATING EXISTING BORROWING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BE EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE DEBT AND INCREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU REPAY.
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