Landlord Contents Insurance
Landlord contents insurance is an optional insurance policy (also see Landlord Insurance) that covers the furnishings and non-structural items you own in a rented property. For example carpets you’ve fitted, curtains, sofas, beds, white goods and other furniture or appliances supplied with the let. It usually sits alongside buildings insurance (which covers the structure) and does not cover the tenant’s belongings, which are their responsibility.
From a landlord’s perspective, contents cover matters most in part- or fully-furnished properties, or where replacing items quickly would be costly. A typical policy will protect against insured risks such as fire, escape of water, theft following forced entry and sometimes accidental damage, subject to excesses and exclusions. You’ll need to estimate the replacement value of your contents and keep an inventory to support any claim.
The Renters’ Rights Act framework and the tenant fee rules do not allow you to pass the cost of landlord contents insurance to the tenant as a separate mandatory fee. It should be treated as a normal business expense, factored into your overall rent and budgeting. Even with insurance in place, you remain responsible for keeping the property safe and fit for human habitation, and for repairing or replacing your items where necessary to maintain a decent standard for renters.
