Landlord Insurance
Landlord insurance is a bundle of insurance products designed for people who rent out property. It usually sits alongside a buy-to-let mortgage and is different from ordinary home insurance, which assumes the owner lives in the property themselves.
Core cover is often buildings insurance, which protects the structure, for example walls, roof, fitted kitchen and bathroom, against risks such as fire, flood and storm damage. Policies can also include:
Landlord contents insurance – for the landlord’s furniture and appliances.
Property owners’ liability – if someone is injured or their belongings are damaged and the landlord is found legally liable.
Loss of rent / alternative accommodation – if the property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event.
Legal expenses – to help with the cost of possession proceedings or some housing disputes.
Landlords must keep the property safe, address disrepair, follow the correct eviction procedures and respect deposit and fee rules, regardless of whether an insurer will pay out. A tenant’s own belongings are not covered unless they take out separate contents insurance.
For renters, the detail of a landlord’s policy is secondary, but it can matter when serious damage or loss of home occurs.
