Let Property Insurance
Compare Let Property Insurance Quotes
Cover for landlords renting out houses and flats.
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What Is Let Property Insurance?
Let property insurance is a specialist policy that protects landlords who rent out residential properties against building damage, liability claims, and lost rental income.
It is sometimes called buy-to-let insurance, rental property insurance, or simply landlord insurance. The cover works the same way regardless of the name.
Standard home insurance does not cover properties rented to tenants, so if you let a property you need a policy designed for landlords.
How To Compare Let Property Insurance
Comparing quotes from several insurers is the quickest way to find cover that fits your property and your budget.
Enter your property details
Provide the property type, number of bedrooms, construction materials, and whether it is furnished or unfurnished.
Select your cover level
Choose between buildings only, contents only, or a combined policy. Add optional extras such as rent guarantee or legal expenses at this stage.
Review your quotes side by side
Check what each policy includes before choosing the cheapest price. The FCA regulates all UK insurers, so your purchase is protected regardless of which provider you pick.
Buy online and confirm your cover
Once you have chosen a policy, you can buy directly and receive your documents by email. Cover can start the same day.
What Does Let Property Insurance Cover?
A standard let property policy bundles several types of cover into one plan, protecting the building, your income, and your legal liability.
Buildings insurance
Landlord buildings insurance pays for repairs or rebuilding if your property is damaged by fire, storm, flood, subsidence, theft, or vandalism. The sum insured should reflect the rebuild cost, not the market value.
Property owners’ liability
If a tenant, visitor, or contractor is injured at your property and holds you responsible, liability cover pays legal fees and compensation. Most policies provide £2m to £5m of protection.
Claims can arise from faulty wiring, loose handrails, or slippery paths. Even a minor injury can result in a claim worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Loss of rent
If an insured event makes your property uninhabitable, loss of rent cover replaces your rental income while repairs are carried out. Cover typically lasts 6 to 12 months.
Accidental damage
This pays for unexpected damage to the building or fixtures, such as a burst pipe or a cracked window. It does not cover gradual wear and tear.
Legal expenses
Legal expenses cover helps with the cost of tenancy disputes, eviction proceedings, and tax investigations by HMRC. Limits typically range from £50,000 to £100,000.
Alternative accommodation
If your tenants need to move out while the property is repaired after an insured event, this cover pays their temporary housing costs.
What Is Not Covered By Let Property Insurance?
Every policy has exclusions. Knowing what is not covered helps you avoid unexpected gaps when you need to claim.
General wear and tear
Insurers do not pay for gradual deterioration. Worn carpets, peeling paint, and ageing boilers are maintenance costs, not insurable events.
Deliberate damage by the policyholder
Any damage you cause intentionally is excluded. Malicious damage by tenants is also excluded unless you add a specific cover extension.
Tenant belongings
Your policy covers the building and your own contents, not your tenants’ possessions. Tenants need their own contents insurance to protect personal items.
Unoccupied periods beyond the policy limit
Most policies restrict cover once a property has been empty for 30 to 60 consecutive days. After that, you need specialist unoccupied property insurance.
Pre-existing damage and poor maintenance
Damage that existed before the policy start date is not covered. Insurers may also reject claims if they find the property was poorly maintained.
Pet damage
Damage caused by tenants’ pets is not covered by standard policies. If you allow pets, factor the repair risk into your tenancy agreement and deposit level.
Compare Let Property Insurance
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What Types Of Property Does Let Property Insurance Cover?
Let property insurance is available for most residential rental properties, though premiums vary by property type and risk profile.
Houses and bungalows
Standard houses and bungalows are the simplest properties to insure. They attract the lowest premiums because they present fewer structural risks.
Flats and apartments
Leasehold flats in purpose-built blocks or converted buildings are widely covered. Your policy covers the internal structure and fixtures, not the communal areas.
HMOs and multi-unit properties
Houses in multiple occupation carry higher risk because of shared facilities and frequent tenant turnover. You may need specialist HMO insurance if the property is licensed under local authority rules.
DSS and housing benefit tenants
Not all insurers cover properties let to tenants receiving benefits. If you let to DSS tenants, check that your policy allows it or look at specialist DSS landlord insurance.
Non-standard construction
Properties with timber frames, flat roofs, or thatched roofs may need specialist cover. Not all insurers accept non-standard builds, so comparing quotes is important.
How Much Does Let Property Insurance Cost?
The average let property insurance policy costs between £180 and £360 per year for buildings cover on a standard rental property.
| Property Type | Typical Annual Cost (Buildings) |
| Single flat | £150–£220 |
| Terraced house | £180–£280 |
| Semi-detached house | £200–£340 |
| Detached house | £220–£400 |
| Student let | £250–£420 |
| HMO / multi-unit | £350–£600+ |
What affects your premium?
Insurers price policies based on property type, location, rebuild cost, claims history, and the level of cover you choose. Our guide on how much landlord insurance costs breaks down each factor in detail.
Rebuild cost vs market value
Your buildings sum insured should reflect the rebuild cost, not the market value. The ABI provides a free rebuild cost calculator, or you can hire a RICS-qualified surveyor for a professional assessment.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Let Property Insurance?
Most insurers let you build a policy around your needs by adding optional extras. These increase the premium but close gaps in your standard cover.
Rent guarantee insurance
If your tenant stops paying rent, rent guarantee insurance replaces your rental income for a fixed period, typically 6 to 12 months. Some policies extend to 24 months.
Contents insurance
If you let a furnished property, contents cover protects your furniture, appliances, curtains, and carpets against damage, theft, or fire.
Landlord home emergency cover
This pays for emergency callouts when tenants report boiler breakdowns, burst pipes, or broken locks outside normal working hours.
Malicious damage by tenants
Standard policies often exclude deliberate tenant damage. Adding this extension covers repair costs when a tenant intentionally damages the property.
Unoccupied property insurance
If your property sits empty between tenancies, this extends cover beyond the standard 30–60 day limit. It is one of the most commonly claimed add-ons.
Employers’ liability insurance
If you directly employ staff such as gardeners or cleaners at your rental property, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. It covers claims from employees injured at work.
How To Save Money On Let Property Insurance
A few practical changes can reduce your premium without cutting the cover you actually need.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Prices vary widely between providers. Using a landlord insurance comparison tool takes a few minutes and can save you hundreds of pounds a year.
Increase your voluntary excess
Raising the amount you agree to pay towards a claim reduces your annual premium. Make sure the excess is still affordable if you do need to claim.
Improve security at the property
Fitting British Standard locks, a burglar alarm, and smoke detectors signals lower risk to insurers and can reduce premiums by 5–15%.
Pay annually instead of monthly
Monthly payments usually include interest. Paying the full annual premium in one go is almost always cheaper.
Screen your tenants carefully
Running credit and reference checks on prospective tenants reduces the risk of unpaid rent and property damage. Some insurers offer lower premiums for vetted tenancies.
Keep on top of maintenance
Regular maintenance reduces the chance of a claim being rejected for neglect. The GOV.UK landlord guide sets out your obligations for gas safety, electrical checks, and smoke alarms.
Review your cover at renewal
Your circumstances change over time. Check your rebuild cost, rental income figure, and add-ons each year to make sure you are not overpaying.
Compare Let Property Insurance
Compare let property insurance quotes from UK insurers in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no UK law that requires landlords to hold let property insurance. However, your buy-to-let mortgage lender will almost certainly require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan.
They are the same thing. Let property insurance, landlord insurance, and buy-to-let insurance all describe policies designed to protect residential rental properties.
No, standard home insurance does not cover properties rented to tenants. If you claim on a home policy for a let property, the insurer is likely to reject it.
A standard policy typically covers buildings insurance, property owners’ liability, loss of rent, accidental damage, and legal expenses. Read our guide on what landlord insurance covers for a full breakdown.
Accidental damage by tenants is usually included as standard. Deliberate or malicious damage is excluded unless you add a specific extension.
Buildings-only cover for a standard rental property typically costs £180 to £360 per year. Adding contents, rent guarantee, and other extras increases the cost.
Most policies cover vacant periods of 30 to 60 days. Beyond that, you need to add unoccupied property insurance or take out a specialist policy.
Only if you let the property furnished. If the property is unfurnished, buildings insurance and liability cover are usually enough.
Only if you directly employ staff at your rental property, such as a cleaner or gardener. If you hire self-employed contractors, employers’ liability is not required.
Use the ABI’s free rebuild cost calculator or hire a RICS-qualified surveyor for a professional reinstatement cost assessment. Getting this figure right avoids being underinsured.
Yes. Multi-property or portfolio policies let you cover several rental properties under a single plan, often at a lower cost per property.
