Buildings, contents, liability, loss of rent, alternative accommodation, rent guarantee and legal expenses are different forms of cover. Do not assume they are all included because the policy is called landlord insurance.
Check the insured facts
- Verify the owner, address, building description, use, occupants and rebuild or contents basis.
- Explain HMOs, conversions, major works or periods without occupation accurately.
- Check excesses, limits and exclusions, including escape of water, malicious damage or wear where relevant.
Read the conditions
- Identify inspection, security, heating and unoccupancy requirements.
- Check whether alternative accommodation and loss of rent are included and what event triggers them.
- For legal expenses or rent guarantee, note notification and approved-adviser requirements.
Review before a change or claim
- Notify material changes through the required process.
- Preserve evidence and obtain required approval before non-emergency expenditure.
- Compare renewal documents with the previous cover rather than checking only the premium.
Keep the declared risk consistent with the property
Arrange suitable cover for the actual owner, letting arrangement and building rather than relying on the label 'landlord insurance'.
- Check permitted occupation, HMO or flat arrangements, vacant periods, significant works and the basis of the rebuilding sum. Record changes reported to the broker or insurer and their response.
- Read exclusions, excesses and limits for escape of water, accidental damage, malicious damage, liability, alternative accommodation and loss of rent. Decide how uncovered costs would be funded.
- If a claim is disputed, preserve the wording in force at the incident date, submitted evidence and final response. Check eligibility and time limits before using an ombudsman complaint route; access is not automatic for every business policyholder.
Example: loss of rent is mistaken for rent guarantee
A fictional policy covers rent lost after an insured fire but not ordinary tenant default. Read the trigger before assuming unpaid rent is covered. The similar label does not make the two products equivalent.
What to do
- Compare the schedule and wording with the actual property and use.
- Clarify gaps or conditions with the insurer or broker in writing.
- Record renewal, notification and inspection requirements.
Evidence to keep
- Policy schedule, wording, endorsements and statements supplied.
- Clarifications, renewal changes and claims correspondence.
Sources and guidance
- Home and buildings insurance: cover and claimsFinancial Ombudsman Service · checked 20 October 2026