FCA-Regulated Insurance Broker

Landlord Insurance UK

Focus Insurance arranges landlord insurance for UK buy-to-let property owners, from single properties to large portfolios. We work with specialist insurers to source cover that reflects the specific risks of letting property.

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Important: Focus Insurance Services is an insurance broker, not an insurer. We arrange cover on your behalf and provide advice tailored to your needs. Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read all documentation carefully.

What Does Landlord Insurance Cover?

A comprehensive landlord policy protects your investment property, your rental income, and your liability as a property owner.

Buildings Cover

Protection for the structure of the property against fire, flood, storm, escape of water, and other insured perils.

Property Owners' Liability

Cover for your legal liability to tenants, visitors, and third parties for injury or property damage arising from the property.

Loss of Rent

Covers lost rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event such as fire or flood.

Malicious Damage by Tenants

Cover for deliberate damage caused by tenants — an important extension for residential landlords.

Legal Expenses

Cover for legal costs associated with tenant disputes, eviction proceedings, and property-related legal matters.

Unoccupied Property Cover

Cover during void periods between tenancies — standard policies may restrict cover after 30 days of unoccupancy.

Why Choose Focus Insurance?

As an independent broker, we work for you – not the insurers. Our expertise ensures you get the right cover at the right price.

Specialist Insurers

Access to a panel of insurers with experience in residential and commercial landlord risks.

Personal Service

Speak directly with experienced brokers who understand the specific risks of letting property.

Renewal Support

We review your cover at renewal and approach the market to seek competitive terms.

Claims Advocacy

We support you through the claims process during business hours, acting as your advocate with the insurer.

Is This Cover Right for You?

This insurance is designed for property owners and investors who need comprehensive protection. It may be suitable if you:

You own one or more buy-to-let residential properties
You let property to tenants on an assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
Your buy-to-let mortgage requires you to hold buildings insurance
You want to ensure your cover reflects the specific risks of a tenancy
You own a portfolio of properties and want a single policy arrangement
You are seeking specialist cover for an HMO, block of flats, or converted property

What We'll Need for Your Quote

1
Full address and postcode of the property
2
Year of construction and property type
3
Current sum insured or reinstatement valuation
4
Tenancy type (AST, HMO, commercial)
5
Claims history for the past three to five years

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does landlord insurance cover?

Landlord insurance typically includes buildings cover (protecting the structure of the property), property owners' liability (covering your legal liability to tenants and visitors), and loss of rent (covering lost rental income following an insured event that makes the property uninhabitable). Additional covers such as malicious damage by tenants, legal expenses, and rent guarantee may be available as extensions. The exact cover depends on the policy and insurer.

Is landlord insurance a legal requirement?

Landlord insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, if you have a buy-to-let mortgage, your lender will almost certainly require you to hold appropriate buildings insurance as a condition of the mortgage. Even without a mortgage, operating without insurance exposes you to significant financial risk. Standard home insurance is not designed for let properties and will typically not respond to claims arising from a tenancy.

Does standard home insurance cover a let property?

No. Standard home insurance policies are designed for owner-occupied properties. If you let your property to tenants, you must inform your insurer. Most standard home insurance policies will not cover claims arising from a tenancy, and your cover may be invalidated if you let the property without disclosing this to your insurer. Specialist landlord insurance is required.

What is loss of rent insurance?

Loss of rent insurance pays out if your property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event (such as fire or flood) and you are unable to collect rent from your tenants. It typically covers the rental income you would have received for the period the property is uninhabitable, up to a maximum period specified in the policy. It does not cover rent arrears or non-payment by tenants.

Does landlord insurance cover void periods?

Standard landlord insurance policies may include restrictions on cover during void periods between tenancies. After a set period (typically 30 to 60 days), certain covers may be reduced or suspended. It is important to check your policy terms and notify your broker if your property is likely to be unoccupied for an extended period.

Can I insure multiple properties on one policy?

Yes. If you own multiple buy-to-let properties, a portfolio landlord insurance policy can cover all properties under a single arrangement. This simplifies administration and renewal, and may offer more consistent cover terms. The suitability of a portfolio policy depends on the number of properties, their types, and locations.

What is the difference between landlord insurance and HMO insurance?

Standard landlord insurance is designed for single-household tenancies. If your property is let as an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) — to three or more tenants from different households — a standard landlord policy may not provide adequate cover. Specialist HMO insurance is designed to reflect the different risk profile of shared accommodation.

How do I arrange landlord insurance through Focus Insurance?

Call our team on 01733 263311, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or use the contact form on our website. We will discuss your property, tenancy arrangements, and cover requirements to seek suitable terms from our panel of specialist insurers. Cover is subject to underwriting and insurer acceptance.

Looking for a complete overview of this insurance type?

Property Owners Insurance — Full Range

Why Standard Home Insurance Is Not Suitable for Let Properties

Standard home insurance policies are designed for owner-occupied properties. The risk profile of a let property is materially different — higher footfall, greater wear and tear, and the absence of the owner from the property all affect the risk. Most standard home insurance policies will not respond to claims arising from a tenancy, and your cover may be invalidated if you let the property without disclosing this to your insurer.

Important: Always check your policy's unoccupancy clause and notify your broker if your property is vacant between tenancies. Failure to do so could affect the validity of your cover.

Portfolio Landlord Insurance

If you own multiple rental properties, a portfolio landlord insurance policy can cover all of your properties under a single arrangement. This simplifies administration at renewal, ensures consistent cover terms across your portfolio, and can be more efficient than managing multiple individual policies.

Landlord Insurance vs HMO Insurance

If your property is let as an HMO — to three or more tenants from different households — a standard landlord insurance policy may not be appropriate. HMO insurance is designed to reflect the different risk profile of shared accommodation, including higher footfall, tenant mix, and the specific requirements of licensed HMOs.

Information provided for general guidance only. Cover is subject to underwriting, insurer terms and acceptance. Terms and conditions apply. Focus Insurance Services is a trading name of Captios Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Registration No. 717691). Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 09620500.

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Our experienced team is here to help. Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation about your requirements.