In most rental properties, tenants and landlords are responsible for providing different types of insurance.

This guide explains what contents and home insurance renters and landlords may need, what they cover, and how these policies work in the UK.

Who is responsible for insurance in a rented home?

In most cases:

• The landlord insures the building and structure of the property
• The tenant insures their belongings inside the property
• This means renters normally take out contents insurance, while landlords arrange landlord and/or buildings insurance to protect the building and any items they provide in the property.

Learn more in our guide to buildings vs contents insurance.

Do renters need home insurance?

If you rent a property in the UK, you normally do not need buildings insurance. However, you may choose to take out contents insurance.

Contents insurance protects the personal belongings you keep inside the home that aren’t owned by the landlord. Without it, you would usually need to replace your belongings yourself if they are damaged or stolen.

For example, if you get contents insurance, your laptop might be covered, but the microwave owned by the landlord would not be covered.

Optional extras renters can add

Contents insurance policies sometimes offer optional extras that increase the level of protection.

Common add-ons include:

• Accidental damage cover: This protects items if they are broken or damaged accidentally by the tenant.
• Personal possessions cover: This protects belongings, such as phones or laptops, if they are damaged or stolen outside the home.
• Tenant liability cover: This helps pay for repairs to the landlord’s property if damage is accidentally caused by the tenant.

These options can be useful depending on how you use your belongings and how much protection you want.

How much contents insurance costs for renters

The cost of contents insurance for renters depends on several factors, including:

• The value of your belongings
• The location of the property
• The level of cover you choose
• Whether optional extras are added

To see how much it would cost to insure your belongings, get a personalised quote in minutes.

Landlord insurance vs buildings insurance

Landlords often wonder whether they need buildings insurance, landlord insurance, or both.

What buildings insurance covers

Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of a property. This includes the walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures. Although it’s not a legal requirement, homeowners often need buildings insurance for their property in order to get a mortgage, or as part of the terms of their leasehold.

What landlord insurance covers

Landlord insurance is designed for properties that are rented out to tenants. In many cases, it includes buildings cover but also adds protection for risks linked to renting a property.

A typical landlord insurance policy may cover:

• The structure of the building
• Furniture or appliances provided by the landlord
• Loss of rental income if the property cannot be occupied
• Liability if a tenant or visitor is injured at the property
• Alternative accommodation for tenants if the property becomes uninhabitable
• Lock replacement after a break-in

Because of these extra risks, standard home insurance policies often do not cover properties that are rented to tenants.

This means landlords usually need landlord insurance. If the property is financed with a mortgage, the lender may also require buildings insurance.

Renting a property to family members

Some landlords may choose to rent their property to family members. This may affect your home insurance.

If you plan to rent a property to family members, it is worth checking that your landlord insurance policy allows this arrangement.

Common exclusions in rental and landlord insurance

Like all insurance policies, rental and landlord insurance policies may include exclusions.

• Common exclusions may include:
• Damage caused by wear and tear over time
• Poor maintenance of the property
• Wet or dry rot in the building
• Damage that develops gradually over time

Check your policy wording carefully to understand what is and is not covered.

Summary

Tenants and landlords are usually responsible for different types of home insurance. Understanding the different types of insurance available helps ensure the right person, property and belongings are protected if something goes wrong.

Learn more about Marshmallow home insurance, or get a quick quote online in minutes.