Protecting a rental property comes with responsibilities, risks and financial considerations. This Landlord Insurance Guide explains the types of cover available, what a policy includes, the risks landlords face, and how to choose the right level of protection for your property. Whether you own a single buy-to-let or a portfolio of rental homes, the right insurance helps safeguard your investment and rental income.
What Is Landlord Insurance?
Landlord insurance is a specialist type of rental property insurance designed to protect property owners against risks linked to letting out a home. Unlike standard home insurance, landlord insurance includes cover for property damage, liability claims, loss of rent and tenant-related incidents. It is not legally required, but most lenders, agents and professional landlords consider it essential.
Internal link options to add naturally:
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protection services page
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buy-to-let mortgage guide
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Property Investment Guides
Do Landlords Need Insurance in the UK?
While not a legal requirement, most UK landlords benefit from landlord insurance because standard home insurance will not cover tenancy-related claims. Cover is particularly important for landlords letting HMOs, student properties, holiday rentals or furnished homes where tenant risks are higher.
This guide helps you compare landlord insurance options to choose a policy that protects your rental income and property.
What Does Landlord Insurance Cover?
The level of protection varies between insurers, but most landlord insurance policies include several core types of cover. The table below explains each type in clear detail so you can compare landlord insurance options and understand which cover you may need for your rental property.
Landlord Insurance Coverage Table
| Type of Cover | What It Includes | Why It Matters for Landlords |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings Insurance | Covers the cost of rebuilding the property if it is damaged by fire, flood, storm, subsidence, explosion or vandalism. Includes structural elements such as walls, roof, floors and permanent fixtures. | Essential for any property with a buy-to-let mortgage. Protects the full value of the building and ensures you are not personally liable for major repair costs following serious damage. |
| Contents Insurance | Protects landlord-owned furniture, appliances, carpets and fixtures in furnished or part-furnished rentals. Covers theft, accidental damage, fire and other insured events. | Helps reduce financial loss if items you provide are damaged or destroyed. Tenants must insure their own possessions separately. |
| Property Owners Liability | Provides legal and compensation cover if a tenant, visitor or contractor suffers injury or damage and holds you responsible. Includes legal fees and awarded damages. | A vital protection against costly liability claims. Helps shield landlords from unexpected legal expenses and compensation payouts. |
| Accidental or Malicious Damage | Covers damage caused by tenants, guests or visitors. Accidental damage includes breakages or spills, while malicious damage includes intentional harm to the property. | Offers peace of mind when letting to new tenants or in high-risk property types. Often optional, but highly recommended. |
| Loss of Rent | Pays out if your rental property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event such as fire, flood or storm. Compensates for lost rental income during repairs. | Helps maintain financial stability and ensures cash flow even when the property cannot be lived in. Particularly important for landlords reliant on monthly income. |
| Legal Expenses | Covers the cost of legal support for eviction, rent recovery, property disputes or tenant-related legal issues. Often includes access to legal helplines. | Provides landlords with affordable access to expert legal support during disputes or eviction processes. |
| Home Emergency Cover | Offers 24/7 assistance for urgent issues such as boiler breakdowns, plumbing leaks, electrical faults or security problems. | Helps resolve emergencies quickly, protects your property from further damage and supports tenant safety. |
What’s Not Covered?
Landlord insurance usually excludes:
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Wear and tear
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General maintenance
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Tenant arrears (unless rent guarantee insurance is added)
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Vacant periods longer than the insurer’s limit
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Poor workmanship
Adding optional extras can help close the gaps where needed.
How Much Does Landlord Insurance Cost?
Premiums depend on factors such as:
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Property type and rebuild value
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Location and crime rate
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Tenant type (e.g., professionals, students, DSS)
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Claims history
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Optional extras included
You can often reduce costs through:
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Higher voluntary excess
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Enhanced security measures
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Regular property maintenance
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Choosing a combined buildings and contents policy
Landlord Insurance Decision
| Category | What to Consider | Details & Guidance | Useful Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Level of Cover Required | Buildings, contents, loss of rent, legal cover | Choose buildings cover at the correct rebuild value. Add contents, loss of rent or legal cover depending on the property type and tenants. | buy-to-let mortgage guide |
| 2. Financial Protection | Liability limits and major risks | Look for high liability cover limits and strong protection against fire, flood, subsidence and tenant damage. | protection services |
| 3. Claim Process | Speed and support | Choose insurers with fast response times, clear claims procedures and 24-hour emergency support. | — |
| 4. Optional Add-Ons | Extra protection | Assess whether you need rent guarantee insurance, accidental damage cover or emergency boiler cover. | protection advice |
| 5. Lender Requirements | Mortgage conditions | Many buy-to-let lenders require minimum levels of buildings insurance. Make sure your policy meets lender criteria. | buy-to-let mortgage guide |
Additional Protection Options for Landlords
| Protection Type | Purpose | When It’s Useful |
|---|---|---|
| Rent Guarantee Insurance | Protects rental income if a tenant stops paying | Ideal for landlords who rely on rent to cover mortgage payments or running costs. |
| Home Emergency Cover | Provides rapid assistance for urgent property issues | Useful for unexpected breakdowns, such as heating failures, plumbing leaks, or electrical problems. |
| HMO Landlord Insurance | Tailored cover for multi-tenant properties | Essential for landlords operating HMOs where risks and occupancy patterns are higher. |
Tips to Protect Your Rental Property
Use these steps to reduce insurance costs and minimise risks:
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Screen tenants thoroughly
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Keep property well-maintained
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Install smoke alarms and security systems
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Document the property condition with a full inventory
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Regularly review your insurance policy
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Consider landlord legal cover and rent guarantee options
Speak to a Specialist
If you want tailored advice on landlord insurance or help protecting your rental investment, speak to a protection specialist today. You can also explore our buy-to-let mortgage guides and landlord resources for more support.
Thank you for reading our publication “Landlord Insurance Guide | UK Landlord Cover Explained .” Stay “Connect“-ed for more updates soon!
FAQ |Landlord Insurance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I legally need landlord insurance in the UK? | No, but it is strongly recommended. Standard home insurance does not cover rental properties, and most buy-to-let lenders require landlord buildings insurance. |
| Does landlord insurance cover tenant damage? | Yes. Many policies include accidental or malicious damage caused by tenants, but some insurers offer this as optional cover. |
| Do I need contents insurance as a landlord? | Only if the property is furnished or part-furnished. Tenants must insure their own belongings. |
| Does landlord insurance cover loss of rent? | Yes. Loss-of-rent cover pays out if the property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event such as fire, flood or storm damage. |
| How can I lower the cost of landlord insurance? | Improve security, increase your excess, maintain the property regularly, and compare combined buildings and contents insurance. |
| Will landlord insurance cover rent arrears? | Not usually. You will need rent guarantee insurance if you want protection against tenant arrears or eviction costs. |
| Is landlord insurance mandatory for buy-to-let mortgages? | Most lenders require buildings insurance as a minimum condition of the mortgage. Some may request additional cover depending on the property type. |
| Does landlord insurance cover boilers and heating issues? | Only if you add home emergency cover or a boiler breakdown add-on. Standard policies do not include this. |
| Is accidental damage covered as standard? | Not always. Some insurers include accidental damage, while others offer it as an optional upgrade. Always check the policy wording. |
| Does landlord insurance cover multiple properties? | Portfolio landlord insurance can cover several rental properties under one policy, often at reduced cost. |
| Does landlord insurance cover unoccupied periods? | Most policies allow short-term vacancies, but extended periods may require unoccupied property insurance. |
| Are HMOs covered under standard landlord insurance? | No. HMO properties require specialist HMO landlord insurance tailored to multi-tenant risks. |
| Does landlord insurance cover legal disputes? | Legal expenses cover can protect you against eviction costs, disputes with tenants and identity fraud, if included. |
| Do I need landlord insurance for holiday lets or Airbnb? | Yes, but you’ll need specialist short-term let or holiday let insurance rather than a standard landlord policy. |
| Does landlord insurance cover wear and tear? | No. Routine deterioration, ageing and maintenance issues are excluded from all landlord insurance policies. |