Landlord policies can cover any of the following property types:
- Bungalow
- House (detached)
- House (semi-detached)
- House (terrace)
- Individual flat
- Converted flat
*Valid for new customers only. Not valid on renewals. Discount valid only during the promotional period from Monday 15th of September until Friday 31st October, 2025
What is landlord insurance?
Landlord insurance is a specialist type of cover designed to protect residential properties that are rented out to tenants. Unlike standard home insurance, it takes into account the unique risks landlords face, including damage caused by tenants, fire, flooding, storms, theft, and more.
Protecting a commercial property?
If your property is being let to a business for their commercial use then standard landlord insurance isn’t going to cover you – you’ll need Commercial Landlord Insurance instead.
Commercial Landlord is typically for landlords who are letting out business premises - such as shops, garages, or offices. But it also applies if you’re letting what would normally be considered a residential property (e.g., a house) to a tenant who is using it as a business location.
Please note: if the property you’re letting is still primarily used as a residence and you have agreed that your tenant can use part of that property for their business, then standard landlord insurance still covers you.
What does landlord insurance cover?
Landlord insurance covers many different things, with specific covers varying between insurers. However, it will always include buildings insurance and property owners liability as standard.
What's covered:
Buildings insurance
To cover structural damage caused by fire, flood, storms, and other insured events
Property owners’ liability
Protects you against third-party claims if someone is injured on the property or if their property is damaged due to your negligence. This can include slip and trips, injuries caused by unsafe conditions, or damages caused by inadequate maintenance.
Accidental damage
If someone accidentally damages your property, you’ll be covered for repairing the damage
Subsidence cover
Protects you if a land shift under your property causes considerable structural damage. Please note: in some cases this cover is not included as standard, but as an additional cover.
Alternative accommodation for your tenants
If your property becomes unliveable due to a valid claim and your tenants don’t have their own cover, we’ll help arrange alternative accommodation for them.
Cables and underground pipes cover
We’ll pay you for the costs incurred following damage to pipes or cables, including essential utilities such as electricity, gas, and water.
What doesn't landlord insurance cover?
There are certain things that landlord insurance doesn’t cover as standard. Here are a few of the most common.
What's not covered:
Common wear and tear
Happens over time, so if the damage to your property is because of natural aging of the building or standard use of the property then you won’t be covered for those type of repairs.
- Please note: It is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain the property and to cover the cost of any necessary repairs. Landlord insurance will only cover damage following an insurance event such as an extreme weather event or a break in, for example.
Your tenant's contents
Aren’t covered by your landlord insurance. Your cover only extends to contents you’ve supplied to a tenant, and you must choose this cover when getting your quote. It doesn’t cover a tenant’s personal contents once they move into your property. If a tenant requires cover for their own items, they will need to purchase renters and tenants’ insurance.
Unoccupied buildings (over 45 days)
You must let us know if your property becomes unoccupied. Once your property becomes unoccupied, you’ll have 45 days full cover, after which your cover will be reduced and an unoccupancy condition applied. Certain types of damage are excluded if the property is unoccupied.
What property types does landlord insurance cover?
Choosing the correct property type is vital when you’re getting a quote as it will impact the price you pay. If you’re not 100% sure how to classify your property, take a look at our handy guide: Property Types Explained | AXA UK
Do you need landlord insurance in the UK?
While landlord insurance isn’t legally required, it’s highly recommended for anyone renting out a property. Standard home insurance won’t cover many risks unique to rental properties and without landlord insurance, you could face significant out-of-pocket expenses.
For example, if a tenant accidentally causes a fire that damages your property, repair costs could skyrocket. Without insurance, you’d have to cover these costs yourself, along with any legal fees if a tenant or a visitor is injured. This could quickly reduce your rental profits or even put your investment at risk.
Additionally, many mortgage lenders require landlord insurance as part of their buy-to-let mortgage conditions. Not having the right cover could jeopardise your mortgage agreement.
How much does landlord insurance cost?
Landlord insurance costs from £14** a month, though the price you’ll pay for your policy is unique to your property and needs.
**10% of our customers paid this or less between April and June 2025.
What can affect how much your policy costs?
The price you pay for landlord insurance depends on a range of factors. Here are some of the main things that can influence your premium:
Rebuild cost (rebuilding sum insured)
This is the amount it would cost to fully rebuild your property if it were destroyed. It should include not just the structure, but also labour, materials, professional charges (e.g., architectural drawings), debris removal, outbuildings, and garden features. Accurately estimating this figure is key to avoiding underinsurance.
Optional extras
Adding extra protection, such as cover for loss of rent, legal expenses, or accidental damage, will increase your premium, but also provide greater peace of mind.
Property details
The type, age, size, and condition of your property all impact your quote. For example, whether it’s a flat or a house, and how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has, can make a difference.
Location
Where your property is based affects pricing.
Claims history
If you’ve made insurance claims in the past that relate to the property you’re trying to cover, especially recently, this may increase the cost of your new policy.
Number of properties
You can cover up to 10 rental properties under one AXA policy. The more properties you include, the higher the total cost, though this is often more cost-effective than arranging separate policies.
How to avoid underinsurance
Underinsurance happens when the rebuilding sum you’ve given us isn’t accurate. This can happen for the following reasons:
- Valuing assets incorrectly – i.e., not accounting for inflation or the work you’ve undertaken previously
- Excluding the costs of repairing or rebuilding your property, such as debris removal, etc.
- Not considering the cost of rebuilding an older property to a modern standard of construction
- Not counting the cost of professional involvement – i.e., planning works, architectural fees, landscaping, etc.
Learn how to protect yourself against underinsurance by following our step-by-step guide below.
What is the difference between ‘fixtures and fittings’ and ‘contents’?
Understanding the difference between fixtures and fittings and contents is important when choosing the right landlord insurance cover. Each is treated differently under your policy, and knowing what’s protected, can help you avoid gaps in cover.
Fixtures and Fittings
Fixtures and fittings refer to items that are attached to the property and are considered part of its structure. These can include things like built-in wardrobes, fitted kitchens, bathroom suites, and integrated appliances. Because they’re fixed in place and form part of the property’s value, damage to these items is usually covered under buildings insurance.
Contents insurance
Contents are the movable items you provide for your tenants’ use — such as beds, sofas, lamps, and freestanding white goods. These are not permanently fixed and can be removed or replaced more easily. Contents insurance covers these items against theft, fire, or accidental damage. It’s important to remember that landlord contents insurance only covers items you own. Your tenants’ personal belongings are not included and should be insured by the tenant separately.
Frequently asked questions
Time to protect your property?
Property is a huge investment, so don’t let that investment go to waste when something goes wrong. Protect your property today and Future You will thank you.
Not everything can always be done online
There are a few exceptions when it comes to online quotes. This will only affect you if you’re trying to cover:
- More than 10 properties
- A mixed portfolio of commercial and residential properties
- A property outside the United Kingdom
If you do, we’ll need to get some more details from you to make sure we can give you a quote that meets your needs. You can call us now on 0330 159 1522 ◆
Looking for insurance for your commercial property instead? Visit our commercial landlord insurance page.
Our customers say...
Average rating:
stars
Based on
Our customers’ reviews, independently moderated and managed by feefo. Based on 0 total reviews.
.
Policy documents
Make sure you have all the information you need before taking out a landlord insurance policy.
Why choose us?
There are lots of reasons to choose AXA Landlord Insurance. Here’s eight for starters.
**10% of our customers paid this or less between April and June 2025.
◆Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Excludes bank holidays. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Terms, conditions, eligibility and exclusions apply. Underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc.