Landlord Insurance
Landlord insurance isn’t just a tick box, it’s your rental business's financial firewall. Whether you lease a single flat or manage multiple properties, unexpected damage or tenant disputes can derail your income. At Connect Mortgages, we connect you with comprehensive landlord cover that protects your investment, cash flow, and peace of mind.
What is Landlord Insurance?
Landlord insurance is a tailored financial safety net designed for property owners who rent out residential or commercial spaces. Unlike standard home insurance, landlord insurance provides essential protection against tenant-related risks, including accidental damage, unpaid rent, liability claims (such as tenant injuries), and structural damage caused by fires, floods, or vandalism.
This specialist cover typically includes optional extras such as boiler breakdown insurance, eviction cost assistance, and landlord contents cover, making it a flexible solution for diverse rental portfolios. It’s particularly important because standard home insurance doesn’t meet the legal and financial requirements of buy-to-let or investment properties.
Most mortgage lenders require landlord insurance as a condition of borrowing. It safeguards your long-term rental income, protects your property’s structure and furnishings, and provides peace of mind throughout your tenancy agreements.
If you’re expanding your portfolio or refinancing, explore our Buy-to-Let Mortgage solutions to ensure your financing and insurance align seamlessly.
Need help choosing the right level of protection? Our experts can guide you start with a quick mortgage protection review or speak directly with one of our independent mortgage advisers today.
Who Needs Landlord Insurance?
If you rent out a property in the UK, whether it’s a single flat, a house, or even a room in your own home, you need specialist landlord insurance, not standard home insurance. Unlike traditional policies, landlord insurance covers key risks, including tenant-related damage, loss of rental income, accidental damage, and public liability.
It’s a critical safeguard for anyone letting property, and is often a requirement for buy-to-let mortgages. Even if you’re renting to a lodger, failing to have the correct insurance could invalidate your policy and leave you exposed.
Want to explore your options? Learn more about our Buy-to-Let Mortgage solutions or speak to an expert on Mortgage Protection & Insurance.
Who Offers Landlord Insurance in the UK?
Landlord insurance is available through a wide range of trusted UK providers, including leading names such as Aviva, AXA, Admiral, NFU Mutual, and Direct Line. In addition, specialist landlord insurers like Total Landlord Insurance, Coversure, Gallagher, and Uinsure offer policies tailored for buy-to-let and residential landlords. These policies often include buildings and contents insurance, loss of rent protection, liability cover, and legal expense support.
At Connect Mortgages, we give you access to over 200+ lenders and insurance providers to help you find the right protection for your rental portfolio. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or managing multiple properties, our advisers can match you with landlord insurance that aligns with your risk profile, rental income goals, and property type.
Benefits of Landlord Insurance for UK Property Owners
Landlord insurance is a crucial safeguard for anyone letting out residential or commercial property. Unlike standard home insurance, it covers the specific risks involved in renting to tenants, making it a vital tool for protecting both your income and investment. Although not legally required, most buy-to-let mortgage lenders require landlord insurance as a condition of their loans.
To understand how landlord insurance fits into your wider financial protection strategy, visit our Mortgage Protection page for related cover options.
Key Advantages of Specialist Landlord Insurance
- Protect Your Rental Property Investment: A landlord insurance policy provides tailored protection against unforeseen events that could otherwise result in significant out-of-pocket expenses.
- Buildings Insurance for Structural Damage: This covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding essential elements of the property, such as walls, roof, floors, fitted kitchens, and bathrooms, following incidents such as fire, flood, storm damage, subsidence, or vandalism.
- Landlord Contents Insurance: If you let a furnished rental property, this covers fixtures and landlord-owned items such as carpets, curtains, beds, and white goods. Note that tenants are responsible for insuring their personal belongings.
- Cover During Void Periods: Many policies include protection during unoccupied periods (typically up to 90 days between tenancies), guarding against risks like break-ins, theft, or malicious damage when the property is empty.
To ensure your investment is fully covered, speak to one of our expert mortgage and protection advisers about combining landlord insurance with a Buy-to-Let Mortgage package tailored to your portfolio.
What Landlord Insurance Do I Need?
As a landlord, securing the right landlord insurance in the UK is vital to protect your rental property, tenants, and income. Standard landlord insurance typically includes buildings cover, property owners’ liability, and optionally, landlord contents insurance if your property is furnished. Depending on your risk tolerance, you may also want to consider add-ons such as rent guarantee, accidental damage, and legal expenses insurance. These extras offer enhanced protection against specific tenant-related and financial risks that standard policies may not cover.
If you’re new to letting, you may also find our guide to mortgage protection and life cover helpful.
Core Landlord Insurance Options
Landlord Buildings Insurance
Covers the physical structure of your rental property, including the walls, roof, fixtures, and fittings, against major events like fire, flood, storm damage, and vandalism. This is essential whether you own a single buy-to-let or a full property portfolio.
Learn more about our buy-to-let mortgage services if you’re expanding your investments.
Property Owners’ Liability Insurance
Protects you if a tenant, visitor, or tradesperson is injured due to a fault on your property (e.g. loose floorboard or damaged stair rail). This type of liability cover covers legal expenses and any compensation awarded, making it a must-have for all responsible landlords.
Mortgage Advice..
Thinking of getting a mortgage? Our experienced team of skilled mortgage advisers are here to offer the essential guidance you require. Relying on our comprehensive understanding of the mortgage market, we’ll ensure you secure the perfect mortgage to suit your specific situation.
FAQs: Landlord Insurance
Most frequent questions and answers about landlord insurance
In most cases, landlord insurance is not mandatory, although buildings insurance will be if a mortgage is in place. However, it is highly recommended for landlords as it can protect against tenant disputes or damage to property. Therefore, it’s essential to check with your local authorities and insurance provider to find out what is required in your area.
If you are renting to a family member, it is still essential to get landlord insurance, even if it is not mandatory. This is because landlord insurance covers a range of eventualities, such as damage to the property caused by tenants, legal fees incurred in tenant disputes and loss of rent due to tenant non-payment. By taking out a policy, you can protect yourself financially should any of these issues arise during the tenancy period.
Yes, landlord insurance may provide cover for damages caused by tenants. The exact type of coverage you receive will depend on the policy you choose. Still, many policies will include protection against fair wear and tear and accidental damage to the property caused by tenants or their guests. It is essential to read your policy carefully to determine exactly what is covered.
Yes, getting landlord insurance for a flat is vital, even if it is not mandatory. Landlord insurance can protect against damage and rent loss due to tenant non-payment, as well as legal fees incurred in tenant disputes. However, it is essential to read the policy carefully to determine precisely what coverage you will receive.
Yes, landlord insurance typically includes cover for a boiler breakdown. The specifics of this coverage will depend on the policy you choose, but generally, it covers repair costs for boiler breakdowns due to normal wear and tear. It is essential to read the policy carefully to understand what is covered and what isn’t.
Not entirely. Landlord insurance and building insurance are two different types of coverage. Building insurance covers the actual structure of the rental property. In contrast, landlord insurance typically covers anything not hidden by making insurance, such as legal fees for tenant disputes, personal liability protections, and coverage for any rent loss due to tenant non-payment. Understanding the differences between these two types of insurance is essential to ensure you get the right type of coverage.
What next?
We will come back to you quickly to let you know how we can help. If you would like to speak to us immediately, call us on 01708 676 111.
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Liz Syms is the CEO and Founder of Connect Mortgages and Connect for Intermediaries, a leading firm specialising in property investment finance. With more than 25 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry, Liz has helped thousands of clients secure both residential homes and investment properties.
Renowned for her expertise and commitment to excellence, Liz is passionate about delivering tailored, high-quality advice on mortgages and protection. Her leadership has positioned her as a trusted figure in the sector, and under her guidance, Connect Mortgages has expanded to a national team of over 300 advisers.
Driven by a vision to make Connect Mortgages one of the UK’s most successful mortgage networks, Liz continues to champion professional standards and client-focused solutions across the industry.
About the Author
Liz Syms is the CEO and Founder of Connect Mortgages, a specialist in finance for property investment. With over 25 years of experience in mortgages and financial services, Liz has helped countless people get their dream homes and investment properties. She is passionate about giving her clients the best advice possible when it comes to financial decisions relating to mortgages and protection and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of service. With her wealth of knowledge in the industry, Liz is a respected leader in mortgages and financial services and has grown her team to over 300 advisers nationally. She strives to make Connect Mortgages one of the most successful companies in its field.