Residential landlord insurance

Quick, quality protection for landlords, sorted in minutes

For a landlord, your property is your most important asset, and worth protecting with cover that's built just for you. Whether you need landlord insurance for a one-off buy-to-let or several properties around the UK, you can get the protection you need, choosing from a range of covers including buildings insurance, contents insurance, landlord liability, loss of rent and alternative accommodation.

Need cover for a commercial property as well? Take a look at our combined landlord insurance.

What is residential landlord insurance?

Residential landlord insurance is different to a home insurance policy. Tenants present risks, and landlord insurance keeps your rental property covered with specific protection, from contents insurance to alternative accommodation. Most home insurance policies won't cover a buy-to-let property.

Watch our consultant Massimo’s guide to residential landlord insurance.

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What does residential landlord insurance cover?

However careful you and your tenants are, accidents do happen. A residential landlord policy protects you against risks not covered by a normal home insurance policy, which can include:

• Fire, flooding, and even vandalism – any of these can cause a lot of damage, and if you have tenants, you’ll want to get back to normal quickly with specialist buildings and contents cover
• Landlord liability is another key risk. From a loose floor tile to an electrical fault, injury to your tenants or damage to their property is covered by your liability insurance
• Loss of rent due to flood, fire or other disaster is any landlord’s nightmare. If your tenants move out and you’re missing out on rent, your policy could cover you for the financial loss, or help you provide alternative accommodation until things are fixed.

Remember, a residential landlord policy covers you for risks attached to tenants living in your property. If your property is being rented by a third party business, like a shop or small office, you'll need a specific commercial landlord insurance policy or a combination of both, through comprehensive landlord insurance.

Watch the details

It’s very important to make sure you understand what you need from your residential landlord insurance. Use the check points below to get you thinking.

• If you employ people, even in your own home, you’re legally obliged to take out employers’ liability insurance. Not doing this could lead to a heavy fine
• Make sure you read and understand any exclusions to your policy. Simply Business offers you the chance to read the policy documents in full before you buy
• Remember that conventional home insurance policies will not cover a buy-to-let property
• You should state the rebuild cost of your property, not its market value, when buying buildings insurance

Why Simply Business?

• Over 500,000 customers (and counting)
• Online quotes, in under 10 minutes
• Claims handled by an award-winning team
• Quote comparisons from multiple insurers
• An expert, UK-based contact centre

All of this, plus expert insight and connections in our Knowledge Centre, full of tips, articles, videos, and podcasts to help you manage your rental.