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Landlord insurance explained

What landlord insurance is, the main types of cover for rental homes, from buildings and contents to liability and loss of rent, and whether it is required.

Landlord insurance is insurance for rental properties. It is designed to protect landlords against financial loss if the property is damaged, and against liability for injury or damage that happens at the property. Standard home insurance is usually written for owner-occupied homes and may not cover a property that is let to tenants, which is why landlords often need a separate policy.

What landlord insurance usually covers

Landlord insurance policies generally include some or all of the following.

1. Buildings insurance

This covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding the property if it is damaged or destroyed by events such as fire, flood or storm.

2. Contents insurance

This covers the cost of repairing or replacing furniture, appliances and other contents that belong to the landlord. Tenants' own belongings are not covered; they would need their own contents insurance.

3. Liability insurance

This covers the landlord if a tenant or visitor is accidentally injured, or their property is damaged, and the landlord is held responsible.

4. Loss of rent

This covers lost rental income if the property cannot be lived in because of damage or another event the policy covers.

Some policies also offer extras, such as legal expenses cover or cover for malicious damage by tenants.

Choosing the right cover

The level and type of cover depend on the policy you choose and your needs as a landlord. The type of let (for example a single family let, a house in multiple occupation or a holiday let), whether the property is furnished and the type of tenants can all affect what you need. It is worth comparing what different policies cover, not just the price.

Is landlord insurance a legal requirement?

Landlord insurance is not required by law. However, if you have a buy-to-let mortgage, your lender will usually require you to have buildings insurance, and many landlords choose wider cover to protect their investment and rental income. GOV.UK has guidance on landlords' responsibilities.

At Kompare, you fill in a short form, and a specialist FCA-authorised broker from our panel contacts you to talk through quotes. You can find out more on our home insurance page, and if you let a holiday home, see holiday home insurance.