Landlord Building Insurance

Landlord building insurance generally covers:

• The structure of the building (e.g. roofs, walls, etc.)
• Permanent fittings and fixtures (e.g. built-in kitchens, bathrooms, etc.)
• Building damage (e.g. theft/burglary, vandalism, burst pipes, fire, storm damage, subsidence)
• Liability cover (e.g. employers’ liability insurance, public and property owners’ liability)
• Eviction of squatters

Cover for landlord insurance depends on your insurance provider, the type of property you rent and the profile of your tenants.

Note: Landlord buildings insurance covers the structural integrity of your rental property. Additional cover such as contents insurance are available as policy add-ons.

Here’s a quick breakdown for a better understanding:

Buildings insurance

Covers any structural damage to your rental property, known as an “insured event”. As mentioned, this may include damage from theft, vandalism or storm damage.

Repairing a property can be expensive but with the right buildings insurance policy you’ll be completely covered.

Liability insurance

Employers liability cover

If you are an employer, you need to invest in employer liability insurance to protect yourself against legal disputes made by employees should they injure themselves while on duty. It is a legal requirement if you employ staff at your rental properties, including cleaners, gardeners and property managers.

Public liability protection

Public liability insurance covers you in the event someone from the general public (i.e. third-party persons) is injured while at your rental property.

For instance, someone trips and falls on a wobbly step, breaks their ankle and decides to take you to court.

Property owners’ liability cover

This works similarly to public liability insurance and protects you against third-party claims as well as if tenants are injured.

Legal costs, in terms of compensation, can add up quickly, putting unnecessary financial strain on you. Having sufficient liability insurance relieves you from this burden and gives you peace of mind to confidently manage your rental property.

What’s not covered by buildings’ insurance

• Normal wear and tear due to poor maintenance upkeep
• Deliberate damage by the landlord (to claim the insurance payout)
• Unoccupied properties standing empty for longer than 60 to 90 days
• Environmental damages such as pollution caused by tenants/landlords
• Properties that are not used correctly (e.g. residential properties used for commercial purposes and vice-versa).
• Pre-existing property damage before taking out your insurance policy
• Tenant’s personal belongings
• Pet damage

What kind of properties does landlord building insurance cover?

• Mixed-use properties (e.g. a flat above a house)
• Houses in multiple occupations (HMO) properties (house shares, student accommodation)
• Commercial and residential properties
• Terraced and end terrace houses
• Semi-detached houses
• Flats
• Detached houses
• Bungalows
• Maisonettes