| Cover | Typically includes |
|---|---|
| Buildings | Structure – buy-to-let lenders require |
| Loss of rent | If uninhabitable (e.g. fire, flood) |
| Liability | Injury/damage to tenants, public |
| Contents | Optional – for furnished lets |
Key points
- Standard home insurance
- Usually invalid if you let the property – you need landlord cover
- Typical cover
- Buildings, loss of rent, liability, sometimes contents for furnished lets
- Compare
- Use specialist landlord comparison sites and insurers
What landlord insurance covers
Landlord policies typically include: buildings insurance (structure, often required by buy-to-let lenders), loss of rent (if the property becomes uninhabitable), liability (injury or damage to tenants or others), and optionally contents for furnished lets. Some policies include legal expenses or emergency cover. Check the policy for exclusions (e.g. unoccupied periods, multiple occupants).
What affects the premium?
Postcode, property type, rebuild value, and whether the let is standard, HMO, or short-term can all affect the price. Insurers may ask about tenant type (e.g. professionals, students) and length of tenancy. Always declare the property is let – using standard home insurance can void the policy.
Where to get quotes
Use comparison sites that include landlord insurance and get quotes from specialist insurers. Read the policy wording for excess, exclusions, and conditions. If you have multiple properties or a portfolio, some insurers offer multi-property deals.
Compare landlord insurance
Specialist landlord comparison sites and insurers.
Cost of living – insurance guidesInformation correct as of February 2026. We don’t recommend specific insurers – compare and read the policy. For business cover, see business insurance for Swindon SMEs.