Landlord insurance is a crucial safety net for anyone renting out property in the UK. Whether you’re just starting as a landlord or managing an established portfolio, the right cover can be the difference between a small hiccup and a financial disaster.

At The Right Home, our goal is to help landlords understand what landlord insurance covers, why it matters, and how to choose a policy that protects both your property and your peace of mind.

What Is Landlord Insurance and Why Does It Matter?

Landlord insurance is a specialised policy designed for rental properties. Unlike standard home insurance, it covers the unique risks landlords face—such as tenant damage, loss of rent, and legal liabilities.

👉 Why it’s important:

• Standard home insurance usually won’t pay out for incidents in a rented property.
• Without landlord cover, you could be personally liable for tenant injuries or major repair costs.
• A good policy can also cover lost rental income if your property becomes uninhabitable after a fire, flood, or major leak.

Types of Landlord Insurance Cover

Here are the main types of protection available:

• Buildings Insurance – Covers damage to the structure (walls, roof, fittings). Often required by mortgage lenders.
• Contents Insurance – Protects landlord-owned items (furniture, appliances, carpets). Tenants need their own cover.
• Landlord Liability Insurance – Covers legal costs and compensation if someone is injured or suffers damage on your property.
• Rent Guarantee Insurance – Pays out if tenants default on rent, often combined with legal expenses cover.
• Legal Expenses Insurance – Helps with the cost of court cases, such as evictions or disputes.

Optional add-ons include: loss of rent (if your property is uninhabitable), landlord emergency cover (for urgent repairs), and unoccupied property cover.

Is Landlord Insurance a Legal Requirement?

Not in every case—but in practice, most landlords need it:

• Buildings insurance is usually a condition of buy-to-let mortgages.
• Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if you hire staff (e.g. a gardener or cleaner).
• Public liability insurance isn’t compulsory but is strongly recommended due to the high costs of injury claims.

Common Landlord Insurance Claims in the UK

According to recent reports, landlord insurance claims are on the rise. Here are the most common:

• Escape of water – Burst pipes and leaks (around one-third of all claims).
• Storm damage – High winds, floods, and weather damage (12–17%).
• Accidental damage – From broken fittings to drilling into pipes.
• Malicious damage – Vandalism or intentional tenant damage.
• Fire – Less frequent but the most expensive (average claim £20,000+).

📊 Average landlord insurance claims now exceed £4,000—a 20% increase in the last year.

Cost-Saving Tips for Landlords

Want to save on your policy without cutting corners? Try these:

• Compare multiple policies before deciding.
• Tailor your cover—don’t pay for extras you don’t need.
• Opt for a higher excess to reduce premiums.
• Insure multiple properties together for portfolio discounts.
• Improve security with locks, alarms, and smoke detectors.
• Pay annually instead of monthly to cut interest charges.
• Maintain a no-claims record where possible.

The Risks of Having No Landlord Insurance

Skipping landlord insurance could leave you exposed to:

• Paying repair costs for fire, flood, or structural damage.
• Losing rental income if your property becomes uninhabitable.
• Being personally liable for tenant or visitor injuries.
• Breaching mortgage terms without valid buildings insurance.
• Claim refusals if you rely on standard home insurance.

Final Thoughts

Being a landlord comes with great opportunities—but also real risks. Landlord insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect your investment, income, and peace of mind.

At The Right Home, we recommend reviewing your policy regularly to make sure it still suits your property and tenants. With the right cover in place, you can let with confidence knowing you’re protected from the unexpected.

Sources:

• The Insolvency Service (UK Government)
• Association of British Insurers (ABI)
• National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
• UK landlord insurance providers’ 2023–24 claims reports

Introduction

Rent increases can feel confusing or even stressful — whether you’re a landlord or a tenant. But UK law has clear rules about when and how rent can go up. These rules are designed to be fair and to protect both sides.

Here’s a straightforward guide to how rent increases work, what’s legal, and what to do if you’re unsure.

Fixed-Term vs. Periodic (Rolling) Tenancies

Fixed-term tenancy:
This is when the agreement lasts for a set time — like 6 or 12 months. During that time, rent can’t go up unless the contract says it can (this is called a rent review clause).

Periodic (rolling) tenancy:
This is when the tenancy carries on after the fixed term ends — for example, on a month-to-month basis. In this case, the landlord can raise the rent, but only by following proper legal steps.

Legal rule: Rent can only be increased once every 12 months for a rolling tenancy. You also can’t increase rent in the first year of a new tenancy.

What Is a Rent Review Clause?

A rent review clause is a part of a tenancy agreement. It explains how and when rent can increase — for example, once a year or based on inflation.

• For landlords: If your contract includes this, you don’t need to issue a separate formal notice every time — as long as the clause is clear and followed correctly.
• For tenants: Always check your agreement to see if and when your rent might go up.

Section 13 Notice – What It Means

If the tenancy is rolling and there’s no other agreement about increasing rent, landlords must use a Section 13 Notice (also called Form 4) to propose a new rent.

Rules for landlords:

• Use it only once every 12 months
• Wait until the fixed term ends
• Give proper notice (explained below)
• Keep proof that the notice was delivered

How Much Notice Must Be Given?

Notice periods:

• Monthly rent: One month’s notice
• Weekly rent: One week’s notice
• Yearly rent: Six months’ notice
• Other periods: Match the rental payment frequency

Delivery options:

• Hand-delivered or posted to the tenant’s address (keep proof)
• Email or text only if agreed in the contract (keep a record)

What Tenants Can Do if Rent Goes Up

Tenants don’t have to accept a rent increase right away. You have three choices:

1. Accept the new rent

Just start paying the new amount on the date in the notice.

2. Challenge the increase

Apply to a rent tribunal before the new rent starts:

• England: First-tier Tribunal
• Wales: Rent Assessment Committee

They’ll compare your rent with similar local properties to decide what’s fair.

3. Negotiate

You can speak to the landlord and try to agree on a lower increase.

Important: If you pay the higher rent without challenging it, it might count as accepting the increase.

Limits and Rules on Rent Increases

• One rent increase per year (for rolling tenancies)
• No increases in the first year of a new tenancy (using Section 13)
• Increases must be fair and reflect local rental prices
• Follow contract terms if there’s a rent review clause

Tenants in Northern Ireland:
If your landlord tries to raise rent more than once a year, you don’t have to pay the second increase — it’s not legal.

What About Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Scotland

• Most tenancies use the Private Residential Tenancy (PRT)
• Rent can rise only once a year
• Landlords must give 3 months’ notice
• Tenants have 21 days to challenge through Rent Service Scotland

Northern Ireland (from April 2025)

• Only one increase per year
• Landlords must give 3 months’ notice
• Tenants can ignore a second increase within 12 months
• Disputes can go to a tribunal

What’s Changing? (Renters’ Rights Bill 2025)

Upcoming changes include:

• Only one rent increase per year will be allowed by law
• No bidding wars – landlords must advertise the true rent
• No more Section 21 “no-fault” evictions
• Rolling tenancies will be standard

Keep an eye on GOV.UK for updates as this new law rolls out.

Quick Tips for Landlords and Tenants

Landlords:

• Speak to tenants early
• Use the correct forms
• Keep good records
• Stick to one increase per year
• Be fair — check local rent levels

Tenants:

• Read your agreement carefully
• Don’t accept unfair rent rises
• Challenge or negotiate if needed
• Get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice

Sources:

• GOV.UK – Rent increases
• Citizens Advice
• Shelter
• NRLA
• Scottish Government
• NI Department for Communities