Landlord insurance \u2013 what you need to know<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen you rent out a property to tenants, it comes with a set of unique risks. Landlord insurance can help to protect you against these risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Landlords can get a landlord insurance policy to cover things like their buildings and contents, accidental damage, and legal expenses. There\u2019s a range of other insurance covers landlords can get for things like loss of rent, home emergencies, or alternative accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having the right level of insurance makes sure landlords are protected when accidents happen, giving them the peace of mind that their asset is protected. This allows them to focus on managing their property and tenants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is landlord insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Landlord insurance is similar to home insurance, but it covers the unique and additional risks associated with renting out a property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A landlord insurance policy is there to protect your most valuable asset and help to give you peace of mind that you\u2019re covered financially against things like fire, flood, and theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also take out insurance to protect you against things like accidental damage, unpaid rent, and legal expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Landlord insurance isn\u2019t a legal requirement, but most mortgage lenders will require that you have specialist landlord cover in place if you let your property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does landlord insurance cover and why do you need it?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOwning a property comes with a range of risks, such as being broken into, or being damaged by a fire or flood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If one of these things happens to your property, the cost to repair or replace damaged or stolen parts of your property is likely to be high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having landlord insurance means you don\u2019t have to worry about finding the cash to pay for unexpected costs if the worst happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you rent a property to tenants, there are also other risks you need to think about such as accidental damage or unpaid rent that stop you from paying back your buy-to-let mortgage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specialist landlord insurance is designed to cover these unique risks and allows you to focus on managing your tenants, maintaining your property, and getting the most out of your investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the main types of landlord insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most landlord insurance policies include at least buildings insurance and property owners\u2019 liability insurance. You can then choose to add other landlord home insurance covers to your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a summary of the most common types of landlord insurance and what they cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- buildings insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if your property is damaged by something like fire, flood, or vandalism, this cover could pay for repair or rebuilding costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- contents insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if you want to protect the contents you provide (such as furniture and appliances), this cover could pay for repairs or replacements if they\u2019re damaged or stolen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- property owners\u2019 liability<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if a compensation claim (for injury or damage) related to your property is made against you, this insurance could cover the legal fees and compensation payout<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- accidental damage<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if accidents cause damage to your buildings or contents (such as broken doors or a stained carpet), this cover could pay towards repairs and replacements <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- legal expenses<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if you need to take legal action related to your property (such as evicting tenants, this insurance could pay towards your legal costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- tenant default <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 if your tenants don\u2019t pay their rent for at least two consecutive months, this cover could protect your rental income<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Other types of cover that you could add to your landlord insurance policy include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- home emergency<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- loss of rent<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- alternative accommodation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- boiler breakdown<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- unoccupied property<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- fixtures and fittings<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
5 common examples of landlord insurance claims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
All insurance claims are unique, but here are some examples of common claims that could save landlords significant sums of money and help them to keep their rental property running smoothly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Buildings insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A chip pan used by tenants starts a fire at John\u2019s property. The fire causes serious damage to the property\u2019s walls and ceilings, with smoke damage throughout. It also caused damage to the neighbouring property. If John is covered for fire as part of his building insurance, he could make a claim to cover the costs of the required rebuild and repair works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Contents insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
During the Christmas holiday, Stella\u2019s property is hit by a severe storm and flood. The ground floor of the property is badly damaged, including kitchen contents (owned by Stella), soft furnishings, and other decorative items. If Stella has contents insurance, she could make a claim to cover the cost of repairs and replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Property owners\u2019 liability insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A postman is delivering a parcel to Lurline\u2019s property. A manhole cover gives way and causes him to break his leg. As a result, he hires a solicitor and takes action against Lurline. If Lurline has property owners\u2019 liability insurance, she could make a claim to cover the cost of compensation and legal fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Accidental damage insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bertie visits his property a few weeks before the tenant is due to move out. He discovers that red wine has been spilt on the carpet in the living room. If Bertie has accidental damage insurance, he could make a claim to cover the cost of cleaning or replacing the stained carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Fixing](\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/fixing-rental-property-door.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAntioniaDiaz\/stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Tenant default insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ingrid chases late rent from her tenants for over six months. She can\u2019t contact the tenants and has lost out on thousands of pounds that she would\u2019ve used to pay her buy-to-let mortgage. If Ingrid has tenant default insurance, she could benefit from a free legal helpline and make a claim to cover the cost of unpaid rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much does landlord insurance cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The best way to find out how much your landlord insurance will cost is to run a quick quote<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe price of landlord insurance depends on the types of cover and the cover levels you pick, as well as details specific to your property like its location, age, and the type of tenants (such as students or families) living there. Things like the security measures you\u2019ve got in place could also make a difference to the cost of your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When insurers calculate your premium they\u2019ll consider how likely you are to make a claim, and the possible cost of any claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re buying landlord home insurance it\u2019s important to answer all questions accurately, as otherwise you may not be covered if you need to make a claim in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does landlord insurance cover wear and tear?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If damage has been caused over a long period of time and not by a one-off incident, it\u2019ll be considered wear and tear and won\u2019t be covered by your insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, most landlord insurance policies will cover sudden events that cause damage, such as a fire, flood, or storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common damage examples that count as wear and tear and won\u2019t be covered by your insurance include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- rising damp<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- moss growing on the roof<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- loose roof tiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- leaking gutters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
Wear and tear \u2013 what can you claim for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your property is hit by a storm, causing internal damage such as water ingress, you may be able to make a claim. As the damage was caused by a one-off event, it wouldn\u2019t be considered wear and tear. To make a claim for this kind of incident, you\u2019d need accidental damage cover.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to reduce the impact of wear and tear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, the condition of a property will deteriorate over time and it\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll need to spend money on repairing damage to your roof or gutters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sooner you spot an issue, the quicker you can fix it. In most cases, the problem will be less serious and cheaper to repair the earlier you spot it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s good practice to carry out regular inspections of your rental property to catch any wear and tear issues before they get worse. One of the best things you can do is inspect the outside of the property, checking for dislodged guttering or signs of water damage such as a discolouration to the brick work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also worthwhile to get a professional contractor to inspect the roof for any damage and remove any moss that could cause future damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLandlord insurance \u2013 key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- landlord insurance protects your property when accidents happen, such as a fire, flood, or theft<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- the main landlord insurance covers are buildings, contents, and property owners\u2019 liability insurance, but you can also get covered for loss of rent, alternative accommodation, and home emergencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- landlord insurance is similar to home insurance, but is designed to protect you against the specific risks of renting out a property<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- landlord insurance isn\u2019t a legal requirement, but your lender may require you to have it if you have a buy-to-let mortgage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Landlord insurance FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIs landlord insurance a legal requirement?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Landlord insurance isn\u2019t a legal requirement, but bear in mind that buildings insurance is a requirement of most mortgage lenders and many leasehold agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to understand that a conventional home insurance policy is usually not valid if you\u2019re renting out your property, so you\u2019re likely to need dedicated landlord insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What level of landlord insurance cover do I need?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The amount of landlords\u2019 building insurance you take out should be based on the rebuild value of your property (the cost of rebuilding your property from scratch). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should base the amount of landlords\u2019 contents insurance you take out on the cost of replacing all of your contents. This includes the furniture and appliances that you provide to your tenants like the fridge, television, and sofa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other types of landlord insurance have set maximum cover levels. For example, Simply Business offers \u00a32 million or \u00a35 million of property liability cover, up to \u00a32,500 rental income a month for tenant default insurance, and a standard cover limit of \u00a350,000 for legal expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is landlord insurance different from home insurance?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe difference between landlord insurance and home insurance is that landlord insurance covers the risks associated with renting out a property \u2013 such as damage caused by tenants, rent arrears, and legal expenses. It\u2019s very unlikely that these risks would be covered by a standard home insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another difference is that contents cover included in a landlord insurance policy usually only covers the landlord\u2019s possessions that are used by tenants. Renters are usually required to get their own contents insurance for their own possessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guides and resources for buy-to-let landlords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Buy-to-let tax changes landlords should know about<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assured shorthold tenancy agreement template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to do a landlord tax return: a 6-step guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Why do I need landlord insurance?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about landlord insurance and answers to key FAQs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"","sb_review_date":"","sb_enable_content_gating":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[351],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[20],"class_list":["post-1154","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landlord-insurance"],"yoast_head":"\n
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Owning a property comes with a range of risks, such as being broken into, or being damaged by a fire or flood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If one of these things happens to your property, the cost to repair or replace damaged or stolen parts of your property is likely to be high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having landlord insurance means you don\u2019t have to worry about finding the cash to pay for unexpected costs if the worst happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you rent a property to tenants, there are also other risks you need to think about such as accidental damage or unpaid rent that stop you from paying back your buy-to-let mortgage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specialist landlord insurance is designed to cover these unique risks and allows you to focus on managing your tenants, maintaining your property, and getting the most out of your investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the main types of landlord insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most landlord insurance policies include at least buildings insurance and property owners\u2019 liability insurance. You can then choose to add other landlord home insurance covers to your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a summary of the most common types of landlord insurance and what they cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- buildings insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if your property is damaged by something like fire, flood, or vandalism, this cover could pay for repair or rebuilding costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- contents insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if you want to protect the contents you provide (such as furniture and appliances), this cover could pay for repairs or replacements if they\u2019re damaged or stolen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- property owners\u2019 liability<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if a compensation claim (for injury or damage) related to your property is made against you, this insurance could cover the legal fees and compensation payout<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- accidental damage<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if accidents cause damage to your buildings or contents (such as broken doors or a stained carpet), this cover could pay towards repairs and replacements <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- legal expenses<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if you need to take legal action related to your property (such as evicting tenants, this insurance could pay towards your legal costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- tenant default <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 if your tenants don\u2019t pay their rent for at least two consecutive months, this cover could protect your rental income<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Other types of cover that you could add to your landlord insurance policy include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- home emergency<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- loss of rent<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- alternative accommodation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- boiler breakdown<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- unoccupied property<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- fixtures and fittings<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n5 common examples of landlord insurance claims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
All insurance claims are unique, but here are some examples of common claims that could save landlords significant sums of money and help them to keep their rental property running smoothly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Buildings insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A chip pan used by tenants starts a fire at John\u2019s property. The fire causes serious damage to the property\u2019s walls and ceilings, with smoke damage throughout. It also caused damage to the neighbouring property. If John is covered for fire as part of his building insurance, he could make a claim to cover the costs of the required rebuild and repair works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Contents insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
During the Christmas holiday, Stella\u2019s property is hit by a severe storm and flood. The ground floor of the property is badly damaged, including kitchen contents (owned by Stella), soft furnishings, and other decorative items. If Stella has contents insurance, she could make a claim to cover the cost of repairs and replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Property owners\u2019 liability insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A postman is delivering a parcel to Lurline\u2019s property. A manhole cover gives way and causes him to break his leg. As a result, he hires a solicitor and takes action against Lurline. If Lurline has property owners\u2019 liability insurance, she could make a claim to cover the cost of compensation and legal fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Accidental damage insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bertie visits his property a few weeks before the tenant is due to move out. He discovers that red wine has been spilt on the carpet in the living room. If Bertie has accidental damage insurance, he could make a claim to cover the cost of cleaning or replacing the stained carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAntioniaDiaz\/stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Tenant default insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ingrid chases late rent from her tenants for over six months. She can\u2019t contact the tenants and has lost out on thousands of pounds that she would\u2019ve used to pay her buy-to-let mortgage. If Ingrid has tenant default insurance, she could benefit from a free legal helpline and make a claim to cover the cost of unpaid rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much does landlord insurance cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The best way to find out how much your landlord insurance will cost is to run a quick quote<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The price of landlord insurance depends on the types of cover and the cover levels you pick, as well as details specific to your property like its location, age, and the type of tenants (such as students or families) living there. Things like the security measures you\u2019ve got in place could also make a difference to the cost of your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When insurers calculate your premium they\u2019ll consider how likely you are to make a claim, and the possible cost of any claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re buying landlord home insurance it\u2019s important to answer all questions accurately, as otherwise you may not be covered if you need to make a claim in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does landlord insurance cover wear and tear?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If damage has been caused over a long period of time and not by a one-off incident, it\u2019ll be considered wear and tear and won\u2019t be covered by your insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, most landlord insurance policies will cover sudden events that cause damage, such as a fire, flood, or storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common damage examples that count as wear and tear and won\u2019t be covered by your insurance include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- rising damp<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- moss growing on the roof<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- loose roof tiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- leaking gutters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
Wear and tear \u2013 what can you claim for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your property is hit by a storm, causing internal damage such as water ingress, you may be able to make a claim. As the damage was caused by a one-off event, it wouldn\u2019t be considered wear and tear. To make a claim for this kind of incident, you\u2019d need accidental damage cover.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to reduce the impact of wear and tear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, the condition of a property will deteriorate over time and it\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll need to spend money on repairing damage to your roof or gutters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sooner you spot an issue, the quicker you can fix it. In most cases, the problem will be less serious and cheaper to repair the earlier you spot it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s good practice to carry out regular inspections of your rental property to catch any wear and tear issues before they get worse. One of the best things you can do is inspect the outside of the property, checking for dislodged guttering or signs of water damage such as a discolouration to the brick work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also worthwhile to get a professional contractor to inspect the roof for any damage and remove any moss that could cause future damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLandlord insurance \u2013 key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- landlord insurance protects your property when accidents happen, such as a fire, flood, or theft<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- the main landlord insurance covers are buildings, contents, and property owners\u2019 liability insurance, but you can also get covered for loss of rent, alternative accommodation, and home emergencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- landlord insurance is similar to home insurance, but is designed to protect you against the specific risks of renting out a property<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- landlord insurance isn\u2019t a legal requirement, but your lender may require you to have it if you have a buy-to-let mortgage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Landlord insurance FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is landlord insurance a legal requirement?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Landlord insurance isn\u2019t a legal requirement, but bear in mind that buildings insurance is a requirement of most mortgage lenders and many leasehold agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to understand that a conventional home insurance policy is usually not valid if you\u2019re renting out your property, so you\u2019re likely to need dedicated landlord insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What level of landlord insurance cover do I need?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The amount of landlords\u2019 building insurance you take out should be based on the rebuild value of your property (the cost of rebuilding your property from scratch). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should base the amount of landlords\u2019 contents insurance you take out on the cost of replacing all of your contents. This includes the furniture and appliances that you provide to your tenants like the fridge, television, and sofa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other types of landlord insurance have set maximum cover levels. For example, Simply Business offers \u00a32 million or \u00a35 million of property liability cover, up to \u00a32,500 rental income a month for tenant default insurance, and a standard cover limit of \u00a350,000 for legal expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is landlord insurance different from home insurance?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The difference between landlord insurance and home insurance is that landlord insurance covers the risks associated with renting out a property \u2013 such as damage caused by tenants, rent arrears, and legal expenses. It\u2019s very unlikely that these risks would be covered by a standard home insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another difference is that contents cover included in a landlord insurance policy usually only covers the landlord\u2019s possessions that are used by tenants. Renters are usually required to get their own contents insurance for their own possessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guides and resources for buy-to-let landlords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Buy-to-let tax changes landlords should know about<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assured shorthold tenancy agreement template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to do a landlord tax return: a 6-step guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Why do I need landlord insurance?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about landlord insurance and answers to key FAQs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"","sb_review_date":"","sb_enable_content_gating":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[351],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[20],"class_list":["post-1154","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landlord-insurance"],"yoast_head":"\n
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- Buy-to-let tax changes landlords should know about<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- loss of rent<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- contents insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 if you want to protect the contents you provide (such as furniture and appliances), this cover could pay for repairs or replacements if they\u2019re damaged or stolen<\/li>\n\n\n\n