Landlord Insurance

  • £7,500 contents cover included (when building affected at the same time).
  • For self-managed and agency-managed properties.
  • Underwritten by AXA Insurance.
  • Average quote time is only 10 minutes.
David Joyson

Written by

David Joyson

Home Insurance Expert & Customer Champion

Emily Young

Reviewed by

Emily Young

Content & Digital Marketing Executive

Less than 1 minute

Updated: 29 Apr 2025

Home insurance for landlords

What is landlord home insurance? 

Landlord insurance protects the buildings and contents of rental properties against insured events such as fire, flood, storm, escape of water, and more. Whether you’re letting out a furnished or unfurnished property, our landlord policies are designed to protect your investment and support you when issues arise. 

Do I need landlord insurance?

Standard home insurance won’t usually cover the risks that come with letting out a property. That’s why landlords should take out a tailored policy.

If you let us know your property is tenanted, we’ll apply the right cover terms — including protection for deliberate or malicious damage by tenants (up to £5,000), provided you meet our tenancy requirements.

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What’s covered by landlords home insurance?

Landlords insurance provides financial protection if you need to repair the property you let or replace your belongings after they’ve been stolen, damaged or destroyed.

It comes in two parts: buildings insurance (cover against damage to the property itself) and contents insurance (for damaged or stolen items within the home). These can be combined or bought separately, so the first step is deciding which option is better for you.

What we offer

Emergency help when you need it most 

If you have a home emergency — such as a power outage, uncontrollable leak or a broken lock — our 24/7 Home Emergency cover is included as standard. 

  • We aim to get an engineer to you within four hours 
  • For serious water leaks, we’ll try to have a plumber with you in two hours

Response times may vary during extreme weather. Policy terms and claim limits apply.

Repair guarantee

We guarantee any buildings work we arrange after a claim for two years. Contents repairs are guaranteed for one year. 

New for old

Where we replace a damaged or stolen item, we’ll do our best to match the original — on a ‘new for old’ basis. If that’s not possible, we’ll offer a suitable alternative or a full cash settlement. 

Family Legal Protection is included as standard. You’ll have access to expert telephone legal advice on personal matters under the laws of the UK and most of Europe. 

What isn’t covered?

There are some things we can’t cover, including: 

Gradual damage, wear and tear, or issues you knew about but didn’t fix 

Faulty design, construction, or workmanship.

Damage caused by poor maintenance or neglect

Malicious damage or theft by tenants, unless you meet our policy conditions (see below)  

Mechanical or electrical breakdown

Keeping your home and belongings in good condition is essential. If damage happens because of neglect or poor maintenance, your claim may be declined, and your policy could be cancelled. 

Deliberate or illegal acts by tenants 

If damage is caused deliberately or illegally by tenants (e.g. theft or malicious damage), we’ll cover up to £5,000 per claim — but only if the following conditions are met: 

Tenancy Agreement 
  • A valid Tenancy Agreement must be in place for all tenants. 
Regular inspections 
  • The property (inside and out) must be inspected at least once every 3 months, or as often as allowed in the agreement. 
  • A written inspection log must be kept for 24 months and reviewed every 6 months. 
Tenant checks before letting
  • At least one rent payment must be received from the tenant’s verified bank account. 
  • A copy of formal photo ID (passport or driving licence) must be kept for each tenant. 
  • Credit references must be obtained from a licensed agency (with permission to share if you claim). 
No subletting 
  • Subletting is not allowed. If discovered, you must act to remove sub-tenants as soon as possible. 
Not covered: 
  • Damage from lets under 90 days unless the let is licensed and meets legal standards 
  • Damage if the property is unoccupied 
  • Any amount you could legally recover from tenants, whether collected or not 

72% Saved money when they switched to Homeprotect*

*Survey data of 1,089 buying customers from 30th October – 12th November 2024

Landlord Insurance Cover Levels

Our landlord insurance is designed to protect your property against insured events such as fire, storm, flood, escape of water, theft, malicious damage, subsidence, landslip or heave.

Buildings cover

Protects the main structure of your home, including attached garages and conservatories, and permanent outdoor features such as patios, driveways and boundary walls.

up to £1 million

(more cover available if you need it) 

Contents cover

Protects landlord contents (e.g. white goods, furnishings, window coverings) on a new for old basis. £7,500 of landlord contents cover is included as standard with buildings insurance.

up to £30,000

(more cover available if you need it) 

Loss of Rent

If your tenants can’t live in the property due to an insured event, we’ll cover the rent you would have received.

up to £30,000

Landlord Home emergency

Covers sudden emergencies like water leaks or heating breakdowns. We’ll aim to get help to you within hours.  

up to £500

Trace and access

Covers the cost of locating a water or oil leak and reinstating any disturbed flooring or walls.

up to £10,000

Outbuildings cover

Covers detached garages, sheds and similar structures within your boundary or legal responsibility.

from £20,000

Liability cover

Covers legal liability for injury or damage to others or their property.

up to £5 million

Included as standard if you don’t select the landlord-specific upgrade. 

up to £25,000

24/7 legal helpline and up to £50,000 for disputes, rent recovery, repossession and rent guarantees (subject to conditions). 

Optional

Accidental damage

Optional cover for unexpected mishaps around the home — such as breakages, spillages or damage caused by you, your guests or wild animals. Two levels of cover are available

Optional

New Customer?

If you’re deciding on whether to buy home insurance with us, you can use our latest policy booklets as a guide.

Existing Customer?

Your Questions Answered

Yes, if you add our Legal Expenses for Landlords with Rent Guarantee. You’re covered for legal costs to recover overdue rent and for a portion of rent arrears during eviction, subject to policy terms.

No, it’s not a legal requirement. But most standard policies won’t cover you for issues that arise when renting to tenants. Specialist landlord insurance offers vital protection.

Yes, if you add Home Emergency cover with boiler protection. We’ll aim to get a qualified engineer to the property within hours.  

Yes. It’s tailored to reflect the increased risks landlords face, such as tenant damage or unpaid rent. It still protects the structure of the building like standard cover does.

A standard home insurance policy is unlikely to be able to cover you adequately as there are a higher number of risks associated with your property. Landlord insurance is designed to take situations involving tenants into account.

Each property needs its own policy unless they’re in a single block (e.g. converted flats). Get in touch to discuss block policy options.

It depends on your property’s size, location, type, and level of cover. Optional extras like Rent Guarantee may increase the premium.

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