Landlord
Does landlord insurance cover tenant damage?
The short answer
Malicious damage by tenants is often an optional extra rather than standard, and accidental or careless damage is usually excluded — that's what the deposit is for. Wear and tear is never covered.
What's standard
Buildings cover for the structure against fire, storm, flood, escape of water and subsidence; property owners' liability, usually £2m–£5m, for injury to tenants or visitors; and landlord's contents cover for the items you supplied, such as white goods, carpets and furniture.
The add-ons that matter
Malicious damage by tenants: often optional, and typically requires the damage to be reported to the police and the tenant referenced and credit-checked.
Rent guarantee or loss of rent: pays rent if the tenant defaults, or while the property is uninhabitable after an insured event. The two are different — check which you have.
Legal expenses: covers possession proceedings and eviction costs, which can otherwise run into thousands.
Conditions that can void cover
Letting to a tenant type not stated on the policy — students, housing benefit recipients, HMO or short-term lets — can invalidate it. So can unoccupancy beyond the stated limit, often 30 or 45 days, without turning off the water and inspecting regularly.
Check these on your own policy
- Malicious damage and loss of rent confirmed on the schedule, not assumed
- Tenant type and let type declared accurately
- Unoccupancy limit and inspection requirements
- Inventory and dated photos at every check-in and check-out
Common follow-up questions
Should I claim or use the deposit?
Use the deposit for cleaning, minor breakages and redecoration. Save the insurance claim for serious malicious damage above your excess.
Does my residential home insurance cover a let property?
No. Letting a property without landlord cover in place usually voids a standard home policy.