Whether you’re a first-time buy-to-let landlord or an experienced investor managing a portfolio of commercial properties, protecting your assets with the right insurance policy is essential. Landlord insurance offers financial protection against risks that standard home insurance won’t cover, from tenant damage to loss of rent.
In this guide, we’ll cover the essentials of landlord insurance in the UK, explore the differences between buy-to-let insurance, commercial landlord insurance, and multi-property landlord insurance, and answer the most frequently asked questions.
What is Landlord Insurance?
Landlord insurance is a specialist type of policy designed to protect property owners who rent out residential or commercial buildings. Unlike standard home insurance, it recognises the unique risks associated with letting properties, such as tenant damage, unpaid rent, and public liability claims. These risks are not typically covered under ordinary household policies, making dedicated landlord insurance UK an essential safeguard for anyone generating rental income.
At its core, landlord insurance provides financial security by ensuring you won’t be left out of pocket if your property suffers damage or your tenants cause unexpected issues. For example, while standard home insurance might cover a flood or fire in your own home, it usually won’t provide compensation if a tenant causes accidental damage, or if your rental income stops due to the property being uninhabitable. That’s where landlord-specific policies come into play.
There are several types of landlord insurance to suit different investment strategies and property portfolios:
Buy-to-let insurance – Designed for residential landlords renting to private tenants, students, or families. This can include buy-to-let building insurance, buy-to-let home insurance, or a combined policy covering buildings, contents, and liability.
Commercial landlord insurance – Tailored for property owners letting out shops, offices, industrial units, or mixed-use premises. Options such as landlord commercial building insurance and commercial property owners insurance provide targeted protection for high-value business properties.
Multi-property landlord insurance – Created for landlords with larger portfolios, this simplifies administration by consolidating cover across multiple buildings. Options such as landlord multiple property insurance or multiple property landlord insurance are particularly popular with seasoned investors.
Many providers, including trusted names like AXA landlord insurance, now offer flexible and modular products. These allow landlords to select precisely the level of protection they need, whether that’s landlord building insurance, contents cover, boiler protection, or additional extras like rent guarantee insurance.
By tailoring the right landlord insurance policy, property owners can protect not only the building itself but also their rental income, liability exposure, and long-term investment strategy.
What Does Landlord Insurance Cover?
Coverage depends on the policy, but most landlord insurance UK products include:
Landlord building insurance – Covers the structure of your property against fire, flood, storm damage, or subsidence.
House insurance / buy-to-let building insurance – Specifically designed for buy-to-let homes.
Commercial building insurance – Protects business premises such as offices or shops.
Home insurance (buy-to-let home insurance) – Residential rental properties, including student lets.
Multiple Property Landlord Insurance – Covers landlords with various units under a single policy.
Liability protection – Protection if a tenant or visitor is injured on your property.
Loss of rent – Compensation if your tenants have to move out due to an insured event.
Optional extras – Such as boiler breakdown cover, accidental damage, or alternative accommodation costs.
What Doesn’t Landlord Insurance Cover?
Landlord insurance policies do not usually cover:
General wear and tear to the property
Tenant default (unless rent guarantee insurance is added)
Issues arising from poor property maintenance
Unoccupied properties left vacant for long periods
AXA Landlord Insurance – Trusted Protection for UK Property Owners
When comparing providers, AXA Landlord Insurance consistently stands out as one of the most reliable and flexible options available to UK landlords. Their range of policies caters to both residential and commercial property owners, allowing landlords to tailor coverage to suit their specific needs.
Key Offerings from AXA Landlord Insurance:
Buy-to-let landlord insurance – Comprehensive protection for residential properties, including buy-to-let building insurance and optional contents cover.
Commercial landlord insurance – Designed for landlords with offices, shops, warehouses, or mixed-use premises, with options for landlord commercial building insurance and commercial property owners insurance.
Multi-property landlord insurance – Simplifies cover for portfolio landlords by combining multiple properties under one policy, saving both time and cost.
Optional add-ons – Such as accidental damage, boiler breakdown cover, rent guarantee protection, and alternative accommodation costs.
AXA’s policies are recognised for being Google-compliant, transparent, and flexible, providing landlords with peace of mind that they are protected against common risks such as fire, flood, subsidence, or liability claims from tenants.
Independent Recommendation
The RCCIL research team has highlighted AXA Landlord Insurance as a highly recommended choice for UK landlords. In their review of leading insurers, AXA was commended for:
Consistent claims handling and customer support
Competitive landlord insurance quotes across both residential and commercial sectors
A broad scope of cover, from buy-to-let home insurance to commercial property insurance for landlords
For landlords seeking a balance of affordability, flexibility, and comprehensive protection, AXA Landlord Insurance is considered one of the top providers in today’s market.
What is the Difference Between Fixtures & Fittings and Contents?
When arranging landlord building insurance or landlord’s contents insurance, it’s essential to understand the distinction between fixtures and fittings and contents, as this affects what is (and isn’t) covered under your policy.
Fixtures and fittings: These are items that are considered a permanent part of the property. Examples include:
Built-in kitchen units and worktops
Fitted bathroom suites (toilets, sinks, baths, showers)
Fitted wardrobes or cupboards
Central heating systems, boilers, and radiators
Flooring that is fixed, such as tiles or wooden floors
Since fixtures and fittings form part of the building itself, they are typically covered under a landlord’s or buy-to-let building insurance policy.
Contents: These are movable or non-fixed items that a landlord provides for tenant use, especially in furnished or part-furnished rental properties. Examples include:
Furniture (beds, sofas, tables, chairs)
Electrical appliances (fridges, washing machines, microwaves)
Curtains and blinds
Carpets and rugs
Light fittings and standalone lamps
Contents are typically insured under a landlord’s contents insurance. This is often purchased in conjunction with a building policy to provide comprehensive protection.
Why the Difference Matters
For example, if a fire damages a kitchen, your landlord’s building insurance would cover the replacement of units, cupboards, and sinks (fixtures and fittings). However, if a tenant’s furniture or the appliances you provided are destroyed, this would fall under contents insurance. Additional resources on Landlord insurance can be found on the UK Government Permitted Insurance website.
Understanding this distinction ensures landlords choose the right level of cover, protecting both the property’s structure and any additional furnishings provided to tenants.
What Property Types Does Landlord Insurance Cover?
Landlord insurance UK is flexible enough to cover a wide range of property types, from single buy-to-let homes to large-scale commercial property investments. The right policy will depend on the type of property you own, its use, and the type of tenants renting it.
Buy-to-let properties – This includes standard houses, flats, and HMOs (houses in multiple occupation). Buy-to-let landlord insurance and building insurance for buy-to-let protect the property structure, with optional extras for landlord contents, liability, and rental income protection.
Commercial property investment – Offices, warehouses, retail shops, and industrial units require specialist protection through commercial landlord insurance or landlord commercial building insurance. Policies are designed to cover higher-value properties and the unique risks associated with commercial tenants.
Mixed-use buildings – If you own a property with combined usage, such as a shop with flats above, landlord’s commercial property insurance or commercial property insurance for landlords can provide comprehensive cover for both residential and business tenants.
Property portfolios – Investors managing multiple units benefit from multi-property landlord insurance or landlord multiple property insurance, which allows several buildings to be insured under one policy. This not only simplifies administration but can also reduce costs compared with insuring each property individually.
In addition, there are more specialised policies available:
Business landlord insurance – Tailored for landlords letting premises to companies.
Commercial property owners insurance – Focused on protecting landlords with high-value assets or a diverse range of commercial buildings.
With flexible options from providers such as AXA landlord insurance, landlords can create a policy that reflects the nature of their portfolio, ensuring both buy-to-let buildings insurance and commercial landlords insurance are fully aligned with their investment strategy.
Do You Need Landlord Insurance in the UK?
It is not a legal requirement to have landlord insurance in the UK. Unlike car insurance, which is compulsory, landlords are not legally obligated to take out a landlord insurance policy before renting out a property.
However, in practice, most landlords will find it difficult to operate without it. The majority of mortgage lenders make buy-to-let landlord insurance or commercial landlords’ insurance a condition of their loan agreement. This is because the lender’s financial interest in the property must be protected against damage, loss, or liability claims.
Even if you own a property outright and have no mortgage, taking out cover is strongly recommended. Without the proper insurance, landlords could face significant financial losses from:
Fire, flood, or storm damage to the building
Tenant-caused damage that exceeds a deposit amount
Loss of rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable
Liability claims if a tenant or visitor is injured on the premises
Standard home insurance is not designed to cover rental properties. If you attempt to use a standard policy, your insurer may reject a claim once it discovers the property is being let to tenants. Only landlords’ building insurance, buy-to-let home insurance, or commercial property landlords’ insurance will provide the appropriate protection.
In short, while not legally mandatory, landlord insurance UK is considered essential for any property owner who rents to tenants. It ensures your investment is safeguarded, your income stream is protected, and you remain compliant with lender requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What type of landlord insurance do I need?
It depends on your property. Buy-to-let landlord insurance is best for residential lets, while commercial landlord insurance or landlord commercial building insurance is suitable for business premises. If you own several properties, consider multiple property landlord insurance.
Does landlord insurance cover outbuildings?
In most cases, landlord building insurance will extend cover to outbuildings, provided they are within the boundary of the rental property. This may include:
Garages
Sheds
Greenhouses
Storage units
These are generally insured against the same perils as the main property (such as fire, flood, or storm damage). However, coverage may vary depending on the insurer and policy. Some policies will automatically include outbuildings, while others may require them to be listed separately.
It’s important to note:
Outbuildings used for commercial purposes (e.g., a workshop rented to a business) may require commercial property insurance from the landlord.
Valuable items stored in outbuildings, such as tools or equipment, are not always included under standard landlord contents cover unless specified.
Always check your landlord insurance policy wording or request clarification from your provider before assuming outbuildings are covered.
What do I need to get a landlord insurance quote?
Most insurers will ask for:
Property type and location
Tenant type (e.g., professionals, students, commercial tenants)
Level of cover required (buildings, contents, liability)
Whether you need extras such as boiler cover or rent guarantee
What is Section 24 and how does it affect landlords?
Section 24 (introduced in 2017) restricts mortgage interest tax relief for buy-to-let landlords. This means insurance and running costs are even more critical in maintaining profitability.
What is the process for claiming your landlord’s insurance?
The process for making a claim is usually straightforward, but it’s essential to act quickly and provide accurate information. The general steps include:
Notify your insurer immediately – Contact your landlord insurance provider as soon as possible after the incident. Most insurers have 24/7 helplines for emergencies such as fire, flood, or significant damage.
Provide key details – You’ll typically need to supply your policy number, property address, tenant information, and a description of the incident.
Gather evidence – Take photographs, keep receipts for emergency repairs, and collect any supporting documents (e.g., police reports for vandalism or theft).
Allow inspections – The insurer may send a loss adjuster or surveyor to assess the damage and confirm the validity of the claim.
Authorisation and repairs – Once approved, the insurer will either authorise repair work or reimburse you for costs covered under your policy.
Follow up on loss of rent – If your property is uninhabitable, you may also claim for loss of rental income, provided this was included in your cover.
Tip: Always ensure that your tenants conduct a tenant reference check before moving in. Many insurers require this as a condition of cover, and failing to do so can affect your ability to claim.
Conclusion
Whether you are preparing to purchase your very first buy-to-let property or managing a large and diverse portfolio of commercial property investors, choosing the right landlord insurance policy is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your assets.
The right cover ensures your property is safeguarded against unexpected risks, including accidental tenant damage, fire, flood, or liability claims. Options such as buy-to-let building insurance, landlord home insurance, and landlord building insurance provide peace of mind for residential landlords. In contrast, tailored products like commercial property owners insurance, NRLA, business landlord insurance, or landlord commercial building insurance are specifically designed for commercial landlords and investors with more complex needs.
For portfolio landlords, multi-property landlord insurance simplifies protection across multiple properties under one policy, saving both time and money.
Ultimately, landlord insurance is not just about complying with mortgage requirements; it is about protecting your investment, income, and long-term financial security. With numerous options available, ranging from specialist providers to mainstream insurers like AXA, it’s crucial to compare policies carefully and request a tailored landlord insurance quote that accurately reflects your unique circumstances.
By taking this proactive step, landlords can operate with confidence, knowing that their property, whether residential or commercial, is fully covered against the challenges of today’s rental market.