Landlord insurance is not a legal requirement, but most buy to let mortgage lenders require buildings cover and standard home insurance does not cover a tenanted property. Major providers include Aviva, AXA, Direct Line for Business and the broker Simply Business, with property owners liability commonly up to £10 million.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 30 AUGUST 2026
- Landlord insurance is not legally required, but lenders usually require buildings cover.
- Standard home insurance does not cover a tenanted property.
- Property owners liability is commonly up to £10 million.
Major UK landlord insurance providers
| Provider | Type | Published point |
| Aviva | Direct insurer | Up to 3 properties on landlord home cover; liability from £5m |
| AXA | Direct insurer | Up to 10 properties online; liability up to £10m as standard |
| Direct Line for Business | Direct insurer | Straightforward buy to let cover |
| Simply Business | Online broker | UK's largest; panel including Aviva, AXA and RSA |
| Homelet | Specialist | Combines tenant referencing with landlord insurance |
| Alan Boswell Group | Specialist broker | Rent guarantee up to 15 months or £30,000 |
Source: Provider published information, 2026
KEY FACTS
- Landlord insurance is not legally required, but lenders usually require buildings cover.
- Standard home insurance does not cover a let property.
- Property owners liability is commonly up to £10 million.
- AXA covers up to 10 properties on one online policy; Aviva up to 3 on landlord home cover.
- Rent guarantee cover can pay up to 15 months or £30,000 of lost rent.
What landlord insurance covers
| Cover element | Typical position | Note |
| Buildings | Rebuild cost | Usually required by the lender |
| Property owners liability | £5m to £10m | Standard on most policies |
| Loss of rent | Optional add on | Pays rent while a property is uninhabitable |
| Rent guarantee | Optional; up to 15 months or £30,000 | Covers tenant default |
| Malicious damage by tenant | Optional add on | One of the most regretted omissions |
Source: Provider published information, 2026
The main providers
The named providers above cover most of the market. Aviva and Direct Line for Business sell direct and suit standard buy to let properties, while AXA allows up to 10 properties on a single online policy with property owners liability up to £10 million as standard. Simply Business is the UK's largest online broker, running quotes across a panel including Aviva, AXA and RSA, which drives competitive pricing on straightforward properties. Homelet combines tenant referencing with insurance, and Alan Boswell Group is a specialist broker suited to portfolio landlords and houses in multiple occupation.
What the cover includes
Landlord insurance centres on buildings cover at the full rebuild cost, which most lenders require, plus property owners liability of £5 million to £10 million protecting you if a tenant or visitor is injured. Standard home insurance does not cover a tenanted property, so it cannot substitute. Contents cover applies to items you own in the property, which matters most for furnished lets. The core policy is broadly similar across insurers, so the meaningful differences sit in the optional add ons.
The add ons that matter
Loss of rent pays your rental income while a property is uninhabitable after an insured event. Rent guarantee is different: it covers rent lost when a tenant defaults, commonly up to 15 months or £30,000 and often with legal expenses, and usually requires a satisfactory tenant reference as a condition. Malicious damage by tenant is a separate add on that standard accidental damage does not include. For portfolio landlords, multi property policies and specialist broker handling of claims are the main reasons to pay above the cheapest quote.
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is landlord insurance a legal requirement
No. It is not legally required, but most buy to let mortgage lenders require buildings cover, and standard home insurance does not cover a tenanted property.
Who are the main landlord insurers
Major providers include Aviva, AXA and Direct Line for Business, with Simply Business as the largest online broker and Homelet and Alan Boswell as specialists.
How much liability cover do landlords need
Property owners liability is commonly up to £10 million and protects you if a tenant or visitor is injured at the property.
What is rent guarantee cover
Rent guarantee is an optional add on that covers rent lost when a tenant defaults, commonly up to 15 months or £30,000, usually with legal expenses and subject to a satisfactory tenant reference.
Can I use home insurance for a rental property
No. Standard home insurance does not cover a let property, so a specific landlord buildings policy is needed.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: renting out a property – accessed 30 August 2026
- ABI: home insurance – accessed 30 August 2026
