Around one in five landlords who make a claim find it declined because they held the wrong type of insurance, often a standard home policy on a property they were renting out. That can mean tens of thousands of pounds in uncovered damage, lost rent, and legal costs falling entirely on the owner. The difference between home insurance and landlord insurance isn’t a minor detail — it’s the difference between being covered and being on your own.
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This article is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. For your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.
Home insurance is priced for owner-occupiers who live in the property day to day. Landlord insurance is priced for a different risk profile — tenants who don’t have the same incentive to spot a leak early or report a loose tile. The two policies cover different things, and using the wrong one can leave you without a penny when something goes wrong. Here’s what you actually need to know.
The central concept here is material non-disclosure — the legal principle that you must tell your insurer about anything that changes the risk they’re covering. Renting out a property is one of the most significant changes you can make.
What each policy actually covers — and what it leaves out
The table below shows exactly where home insurance stops and landlord insurance starts. The gaps aren’t small — they’re entire categories of cover that simply don’t exist in a standard home policy.
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| Cover Category | Standard Home Insurance | Landlord Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings cover | Included for owner-occupied use; invalid the moment the property is let without disclosure | Included, priced for rental use; covers the structure including void periods (with notification) |
| Contents cover | Included, covers your own belongings | Optional extra; covers items you provide in a furnished let |
| Property owner’s liability | No — only basic occupier’s liability for visitors | Yes — typically £1–2 million standard |
| Loss of rent | No | Yes — pays rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event |
| Rent guarantee | No | Optional add-on — covers lost rent if a tenant stops paying |
| Legal expenses for tenancy disputes | No | Yes — covers solicitor costs for evictions and disputes |
| Tenant damage cover | Limited | Yes — includes malicious damage by tenants |
| Typical annual cost | £300–£800 | £150–£400 |
The cost difference might surprise you. Landlord insurance is often cheaper than home insurance because it doesn’t cover the owner’s personal possessions — no expensive electronics, no wardrobe of clothes, no kitchen appliances you bought for yourself. The policy is narrower in some ways but far broader where it matters for a rental.
What this means in practice: if a fire makes your rental uninhabitable for three months, a home policy pays nothing toward the £4,500 in lost rent (at £1,500 per month). A landlord policy with loss of rent cover would replace that income. That single difference can cover the policy’s annual cost many times over.
Three mistakes that leave landlords exposed
Relying on home insurance after tenants move in
This is the most common and most expensive error. A landlord in mymonecomparison.com’s research had paid home insurance on a let property for three years without incident. Then a water leak caused £18,000 in damage. The insurer investigated, found the property had been tenanted the whole time, and voided the policy under material non-disclosure. The landlord received nothing and had to cover the full repair cost out of pocket. The fix is straightforward: switch to a landlord policy before the tenancy starts — before handing over the keys, as frontierinsurance.co.uk notes. That way the correct cover is active from day one.
Assuming “consent to let” is a permanent solution
Some lenders and insurers offer a consent to let arrangement if you need to rent out your home temporarily — for example, if you move abroad for work and plan to return. But these extensions are almost always time-limited, typically to 12 months. After that, the policy reverts to standard home insurance terms, which exclude tenanted properties. If you don’t switch to a full landlord policy before the extension expires, you’re uninsured. Set a calendar reminder for month 10 and arrange the switch then.
Not telling your insurer about a change in occupancy
Even if you think the risk hasn’t changed — same building, same locks, same roof — the insurer sees it differently. They priced the policy assuming you lived there and would notice a leaking pipe within hours. A tenant might not notice for days. That difference in response time changes the likelihood and severity of a claim. Under the Insurance Act 2015, failing to disclose that change is grounds for voiding the policy entirely. The insurer doesn’t just decline the claim — they treat the policy as if it never existed and keep every premium you paid.
How to get the right cover — and what to look for
Switch before the tenancy starts
Arrange landlord insurance before tenants move in. Most insurers let you set a start date, so you can line it up with the tenancy start date. You’ll need the property address, the rebuild value (not the market value), and details about the property type — house, flat, purpose-built or converted. If you’re not sure about the rebuild value, a chartered surveyor can provide a figure, or you can use the Building Cost Information Service from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Decide which optional covers you need
Buildings cover is essential — your mortgage lender will almost certainly require it. Contents cover is only relevant if you’re providing furniture, appliances, or other items in a furnished let. If the property is unfurnished, you don’t need it. Rent guarantee insurance is worth considering if your tenant’s income is irregular or if you’re letting to students, who often pay in term-time instalments. Legal expenses cover can be useful if you anticipate disputes, but many landlords find the standard loss of rent and liability cover sufficient.
Check the policy for void periods
Landlord insurance typically covers the property during void periods — when there’s no tenant — but you usually need to tell the insurer if the property will be empty for more than 30 consecutive days. Some policies impose conditions during voids, such as requiring you to drain the water system or inspect the property weekly. If you don’t meet those conditions and something goes wrong, the claim can be reduced or declined.
What’s changing in the market
The Financial Conduct Authority is consulting on new rules for insurance product governance, which could affect how landlord policies are sold and what information insurers must provide at renewal. The changes are expected to take effect in 2025. For now, the key thing to watch is whether your insurer automatically renews your policy or requires you to confirm the property is still tenanted each year. Some insurers now send annual occupancy confirmation forms — missing the deadline can result in cover being suspended.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use home insurance if I’m renting out a single room to a lodger? ▾
What happens if I switch to landlord insurance mid-tenancy? ▾
Does landlord insurance cover my tenant’s belongings? ▾
Is landlord insurance a legal requirement? ▾
Can I claim on both home insurance and landlord insurance for the same damage? ▾
What if I’m between tenants and the property is empty? ▾
The one thing that changes everything
The Insurance Act 2015 shifted the burden onto policyholders to disclose anything that could affect the risk. That means the responsibility is on you to tell your insurer when a property changes from owner-occupied to tenanted — not on them to ask. A single sentence in a policy document, missed at renewal, can cost you the entire value of a claim. If you’re renting out a property you used to live in, the cheapest and safest move is to call your insurer today and ask what you need to do. If they can’t offer a landlord policy, shop around before the tenants move in.
Remember: this article is general information only. For advice on your specific situation, speak to a qualified professional.
If this was useful, you might also want to read Landlord vs Tenant: Who’s Responsible for What in UK Property Insurance.
Sources and Further Reading
Top Tips for Choosing Comprehensive Home Insurance in the UK — Practical guidance on what to look for when buying home insurance, including policy exclusions and coverage limits.
Protecting Your Legacy: Insuring Inherited Property in the UK — What to do when you inherit a property and need to insure it, including the transition from home to landlord cover.
mymoneycomparison.com (2024). Landlord Insurance vs Home Insurance: Key Differences. 🔗
simplyquote.co.uk (2024). Landlord Insurance vs Home Insurance. 🔗
frontierinsurance.co.uk (2024). Do You Need Both Home Insurance and Landlord Insurance? 🔗
stacker.com (2024). What Does Landlord Insurance Cover? 🔗
