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Compare insurance designed for a rented residential property and check the cover against the building, tenancy and way you let it.
Request a landlord insurance quote
Check the provider, policy wording, exclusions, excesses and total price before deciding.
Why ordinary home cover may not be enough
Letting changes how a property is occupied and the risks an insurer is being asked to cover. An ordinary owner-occupier policy may exclude or restrict claims when tenants live at the address. Tell the insurer accurately that the property is rented, how it is occupied and whether an agent is involved.
Landlord insurance is not generally a single legal requirement, but a mortgage lender, freeholder or contract may require particular cover. Insurance also does not replace safety, repair, licensing or tenancy duties.
Cover you may want to compare
- Buildings: repair or reinstatement after insured damage, using a realistic rebuild cost rather than the market value.
- Landlord contents: items you provide in furnished or part-furnished accommodation.
- Property-owner liability: specified legal liabilities connected with ownership of the property.
- Loss of rent and alternative accommodation: subject to the insured event, limits and policy conditions.
- Legal expenses, rent guarantee or emergency cover: often optional and governed by eligibility, waiting periods and exclusions.
- Accidental or malicious damage: wording and tenant-related exclusions vary substantially.
Facts that can affect a quote or claim
Be ready to describe the construction, age, rebuild value, flood or subsidence history, locks and alarms, claims history, occupancy, tenancy type, tenant profile, property inspections and periods when the home may be empty. Disclose an HMO, short-term let, supported accommodation, renovation or unoccupancy clearly.
Questions to ask before buying
- What property, tenant and tenancy types are eligible?
- What is the buildings sum insured and how is underinsurance handled?
- Which excess applies to escape of water, subsidence and other claims?
- How long can the property be empty and what inspections are required?
- Are rent guarantee, legal expenses, malicious damage and emergency assistance included or optional?
- Which safety, maintenance, licensing or notification conditions could affect cover?
If circumstances change
Tell the insurer about material changes using the process in the policy. Examples can include a different letting model, an extended empty period, building work, a change to occupants or a new business use. Keep the schedule, policy wording, statement of fact and correspondence together.
This page is general information, not insurance advice. Read How We Make Money.