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Private Landlord Insurance
Protect Your Property and Stay Legally Covered
The moment a tenant moves in, standard home insurance becomes invalid. Tenant damage, liability claims, and loss of rent are all excluded. You need cover built specifically for private landlords.
Most buy to let mortgage lenders require it. And without it, a burst pipe alone can cost over £3,000 out of your own pocket.
What Is Private Landlord Insurance?
Built for Landlords
Specialist insurance for residential properties you own and let to tenants — covers risks standard home insurance excludes entirely.
Standard Insurance Is Invalid
Most standard home insurance policies become invalid the moment a tenant moves in. Do not assume you are covered.
Covers What Matters
Tenant damage, injury claims, loss of rental income, and legal costs when disputes arise — all excluded from standard cover.
Are You an Accidental Landlord?
Many private landlords never planned to let a property. However you became a landlord, the risks are identical — and standard home insurance will not protect you. Hover each card.
Inherited a Home
Hover to see why you need cover →
You Still Need Cover
Inheriting and letting a property makes you a private landlord. Your liability is identical to any other landlord. Standard home insurance will not pay out.
Relocated for Work
Hover to see why you need cover →
You Still Need Cover
Letting your home while you work elsewhere is a tenancy agreement. Your standard home insurance is now invalid from day one of the tenancy.
Letting Instead of Selling
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You Still Need Cover
Choosing to let rather than sell is a business decision — with business risks. You need landlord cover regardless of how long you plan to let the property.
What Does Private Landlord Insurance Cover?
Buildings Insurance
Fire, flood, storm, escape of water, subsidence, and vandalism. Required by most buy to let mortgage lenders.
Property Owners Liability
Legal costs and compensation if a tenant or visitor is injured at your property. Cover from £2M to £5M.
Loss of Rent
Covers your rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event — up to 24 months.
Malicious Damage by Tenants
Standard home insurance excludes this entirely. Private landlord insurance covers deliberate tenant damage.
Legal Expenses
Covers solicitor costs for evictions, rent disputes, and possession proceedings — more important than ever post-2025.
Void Period Cover
Full protection between tenancies — typically 45 to 90 days. Notify your insurer if the void extends beyond this.
How Much Does Private Landlord Insurance Cost?
| Property / Tenant Type | Typical Premium |
|---|---|
| 3-bed, professional tenants | From £16/mo |
| 3-bed, buildings-only cover | ~£180/year |
| Student let property | Higher premium |
| Unoccupied property | Higher premium |
HMRC Allowable Expense
Deduct the full premium cost against your rental income before tax is calculated.
Professional Tenants = Lower Cost
Professional tenants attract lower premiums than students or DSS lets.
Rebuild Cost Matters
Your premium is based on rebuild cost — not market value. Get a rebuild assessment to avoid over or under-insuring.
Your Legal Duties as a Private Landlord
Section 21 No-Fault Evictions Abolished
All tenancies become periodic with no fixed end date. You cannot evict tenants without a valid legal reason. Rent increases are limited to once per year with two months notice.
Legal expenses cover is now more important than ever for private landlords facing possession proceedings, rent disputes, and tenant challenges.
Annual Gas Safety
Valid CP12 certificate every year. Failure to provide is a criminal offence under Gas Safety Regulations 1998.
EICR Every 5 Years
Electrical inspection required under Electrical Safety Standards 2020. Fines up to £30,000 for non-compliance.
Fit for Habitation
Property must meet habitability standards throughout the tenancy under the Homes Act 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. But most buy to let mortgage lenders require buildings insurance as a loan condition. Without it, fire, flood, or tenant damage costs fall entirely on you.
No. Standard home insurance becomes invalid once tenants move in. You need specialist landlord cover from the moment a tenancy begins.
Yes, if your policy includes this cover. Standard home insurance excludes tenant damage entirely. Always confirm malicious damage is listed before signing.
Yes. HMRC treats it as an allowable expense against your rental income — you can deduct the full cost before tax is calculated.
Most policies include cover between tenancies for 45 to 90 days. Check your specific limit and notify your insurer if the void period extends beyond this.