Even with the best tenants and the most well-maintained properties, things can go wrong – from a burst pipe in the middle of winter to a sudden period of unpaid rent. When the unexpected happens, it’s not always obvious exactly what your insurance covers (or what it doesn’t).
This lesson answers real questions from landlords about insurance, covering landlord vs tenant liability, unpaid rent, and temporary accommodation for your tenant in an emergency.
This is the final lesson of our three-part Landlord Lessons series, where we take real questions from UK landlords and break down what they mean for you. In lesson one, we covered eviction questions. In lesson two, we looked at day-to-day landlord responsibilities. This time, we’re focusing on landlord insurance.
As always, every policy is different, and insurance terms can vary between providers. This lesson is designed to help you understand the basics – always check your specific policy documents for the finer details.
- can I just keep my standard home insurance?
- is my insurance valid if the property is empty?
- does landlord insurance cover unpaid rent?
- who pays for my tenant’s accommodation if there’s an emergency?
- am I liable if a tenant injures themselves?
- do I need contents insurance for an unfurnished property?
- will my insurance pay for malicious damage by a tenant?
I’m only renting out my old house – can I just keep my standard home insurance?
If you’ve decided to rent out your former home, it might seem logical to let your existing home insurance roll over. Unfortunately, standard home insurance is almost always invalidated as soon as a property is let out to tenants.
From an insurer’s perspective, living in your own home carries a completely different risk profile than renting it out. Because tenants don’t own the bricks and mortar, the statistical likelihood of property damage naturally increases.
This shift in occupancy also introduces entirely new challenges. Compared to a standard homeowner, a landlord is far more likely to deal with prolonged empty periods, unreported maintenance issues that escalate into major repairs, and complex liability claims.
It also creates a legal gap. Standard home insurance rarely includes property owners’ liability cover for a tenanted building, meaning if someone is injured on the property and takes legal action, you won’t be protected.
Key takeaway: Always switch to a dedicated landlord insurance policy before your tenants move in. Sticking with standard home insurance puts you at risk of invalidating your cover.
My property has been empty for two months while I find new tenants. Is my insurance still valid?
Void periods are a normal part of being a landlord, but they come with hidden insurance risks. Most standard landlord policies only cover a property that’s left unoccupied for 30 to 60 days (check your specific documents for the exact number).
Insurers place limits on empty properties because the risk of unnoticed issues with your property, vandalism, or break-ins increases when no one is around. If your property is going to be empty for longer than your policy allows, you need to inform your insurance provider. They may restrict certain covers, or you might need to take out specific unoccupied property insurance until a new tenant moves in.
Key takeaway: Check your policy’s unoccupancy limit. If your property is empty for longer than 30 to 60 days, you should tell your insurer to make sure you remain covered.
My tenant stopped paying rent. Does my landlord insurance cover the missed payments?
Unpaid rent is stressful for all parties, but a standard landlord insurance policy usually only covers the physical building and your liability, not your rental income.
To be covered for unpaid rent, you need specific tenant default or rent guarantee insurance. Making a successful claim usually requires you to prove you carried out comprehensive tenant referencing checks before the tenancy started.
Key takeaway: Rent arrears are only covered if you have specific rent guarantee insurance – and you typically need to prove the tenant passed referencing checks before moving in.
If my property is uninhabitable, who pays for my tenant’s accommodation?
If a major leak, fire, or storm damage forces your tenants to move out while your property is repaired, your obligations as a landlord don’t pause. You generally have a responsibility to make sure they have somewhere to live, or you must stop charging them rent for that period.
Alternative accommodation or loss of rent insurance can help support you in this situation. This means your insurer will either cover the cost of the tenant’s temporary accommodation, or cover your lost rental income while the property sits empty for repairs.
Key takeaway: Make sure your policy includes alternative accommodation or loss of rent cover so you aren’t left out of pocket if an issue with your property forces your tenants to move out temporarily.
My tenant injured themselves at my property. Am I responsible?
If anyone at your property, not just your tenant, suffers an injury and blames it on poor maintenance or a known hazard, you could be held liable.
This is where property owners’ liability insurance is important. If a court finds you were negligent – like failing to fix a broken step you were warned about, for example – the legal fees can be expensive. This cover handles those costs and compensation claims, helping to protect your personal finances.
Key takeaway: Property owners’ liability insurance helps protect you against costly legal fees and compensation claims if someone is injured on your property due to a maintenance failure.
I rent my property completely unfurnished. Do I still need contents insurance?
Many landlords assume that because they aren’t providing sofas, beds, or televisions, they only need buildings insurance.
However, insurers have a very specific definition of contents. Even in an unfurnished property, things like carpets, curtains, laminate flooring, light fittings, and freestanding white goods (like the fridge or washing machine) are usually classed as contents too.
Buildings insurance covers the bricks, mortar, and fitted items (like a fitted kitchen or bathroom suite), but it won’t pay out for a ruined carpet, for example.
Key takeaway: Even unfurnished properties have things like carpets, curtains, and white goods that aren’t covered by buildings insurance. Contents insurance can help make sure they’re protected too.
I think my tenant intentionally damaged the property before being evicted. Will my insurance pay for the repairs?
While it’s very rare, intentional or malicious damage does happen in rental properties.
From an insurance perspective, it’s crucial to understand the difference between accidental damage (like spilling wine on a carpet) and malicious damage by tenants.
Some landlord policies may not cover malicious damage caused by tenants. If you haven’t specifically selected malicious damage cover, you might not be covered for repair costs.
Key takeaway: Don’t assume malicious damage by tenants is covered as standard. Check your policy to make sure you’re covered and familiarise yourself with what’s considered ‘malicious damage’ in your policy documents.
What landlords should take away from this lesson
Insurance shouldn’t just be a tick-box exercise when you set up a new tenancy. Understanding exactly what you’re agreeing to and what you’re covered for can help you in the event you need to make a claim.
Always keep clear records of your tenant referencing, inform your insurer if the property is going to be empty, and never assume your standard home insurance will cover a rental property.
You can learn more about the specific covers included in this lesson below:
- Unoccupied property insurance
- Tenant default insurance
- Rent guarantee insurance
- Buildings insurance
- Contents insurance
This content is for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please obtain expert advice from industry-specific professionals who may better understand your needs.
Don’t forget these other useful landlord lessons
- Renting out your property: rules for landlords in 2026
- Making sense of the 2026 HHSRS update for landlords
- Renters’ Rights Act: your questions answered by an expert
- Section 13 rent increase: a guide for landlords
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