Landlord insurance

What is property owners' liability?

Property owners' liability protects you if a third party injures themselves on your property due to negligence on the landlord’s part. For example, a slate blowing off the property’s roof or a banister not being properly secured. In cases like this, you’re covered for the cost of any claims or damages made because of the injury.

As a landlord, you’ll have a desire to protect your property. But you also have a duty of care and potential liability if a third party (e.g., a tenant or a tradesman) is injured in your property.

For example, if your tenant trips on a badly fitted carpet and breaks a leg, they might make a claim against you. If you’re found to be at fault, this will help you pay any costs/damages they are awarded.

What is a rebuilding sum?

Imagine your property has suffered a total loss – for example, been burned down in a fire. Now, consider every step you would need to take to clear that site and get your property rebuilt.

That figure is your rebuilding sum. It should include the price of debris removal, labour and materials, design work and furnishing.

What is the difference between home insurance and buildings insurance?

Home insurance is a personal product as it relates to the home your live in. Landlord insurance protects a property that you own for the purpose of earning an income.

While they both cover same things – such as damage to the building – landlord is a more comprehensive product to cover a landlord’s more comprehensive needs.

To find out more, check out our guide to home insurance vs landlord insurance.

What is loss of rent insurance?

This type of insurance covers the money a landlord would lose if the property they’re leasing becomes uninhabitable, due to an event such as a fire or flood. If your tenants are rehoused, we’ll protect you for any loss of income. 

An optional extra, you can add loss of rent insurance to your landlord insurance policy cover – which could be a small investment against a very big financial risk.

Are boilers covered by landlord insurance?

Most landlord insurance policies do no cover boilers as standard, though some providers will offer this as an optional extra.

Please note: not all providers offer boiler cover, so be sure to check before you purchase cover.

Who is responsible for damage to the garden – the landlord or the tenant?

Landlords are typically responsible any damage caused to the garden areas of their property. Any repairs are typically covered under your landlord insurance. Landlord insurance extends to cover boundaries i.e. walls, fences etc. It also covers damage to landscaped gardens by emergency vehicles.

What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance for landlords?

The difference between buildings and contents insurance for landlords lies in what each type of insurance covers.

Buildings Insurance covers the structure of the property, including the walls, roof, floors, ceilings, and permanent fixtures such as built-in wardrobes and kitchen units. It typically provides protection against damage caused by events like fire, flooding, storms, subsidence, and vandalism. Buildings insurance is essential for landlords because it helps cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding the property in the event of damage.

Contents insurance on the other hand, covers the landlord's belongings inside the property that are not part of the building's structure. This can include items like furniture, appliances, rugs, curtains – essentially, anything that belong to the landlord and are provided for the tenants' use. Contents insurance helps protect these items against damage or theft.

Please note: it doesn’t protect a tenant’s own personal contents. It is the tenants responsibility to arrange their own contents cover for their own items.

How do I make a claim on my landlord insurance policy?

If you need to make a claim on your landlord insurance you should first do what you can to prevent any further damage, and don’t try to settle the claim before you’ve spoken to us. However, if your claim is the result of malicious intent or criminal activity, make sure you contact the police in the first instance and get a crime reference number.

Otherwise, to make a claim you can follow the step-by-step process outlined on our dedicated guide here: How to make a landlord insurance claim.

Are outbuildings and sheds covered by my landlord insurance?

Yes, outbuildings and sheds are covered under AXA’s landlord insurance. This includes damaged caused to outbuildings and sheds, or thefts of your contents from these buildings. Please note: if you’re covering outbuildings or sheds these need to be added into your total rebuilding sum.

Can I get landlord insurance for short-term rental properties, such as holiday lets?

No, we don’t offer cover for properties that are being used for short-term rentals, such as Airbnb. AXA landlord insurance cover properties where the tenants living in your home are under a tenancy agreement.

Are there any specific requirements for landlord insurance if I have student tenants?

No, there are no specific requirements for landlords who let their properties out to students. There may be a slightly different price for your cover, as students are likely to have a higher rate of accidental damage and escape of water claims, so your cover level will reflect this.

What is the process for adding additional properties to an existing landlord insurance policy?

If you need to add more properties to your AXA landlord policy, you can do what is called a mid-term adjustment (MTA), provided you’re not exceeding the 10-property maximum limit.

If adding a new property will take you over the 10 property maximum, you will have to take out a second policy, where you can insure up to another 10 properties.

To add a new property, simply log into your AXA account and get started.

What is the process for transferring landlord insurance to a new owner if I sell the rental property?

There is no transfer process for your landlord insurance if you sell the property.

If you sell the property you’re insuring you’ll need to cancel your landlord insurance policy. If the new owner intends rent the property out, it is their responsibility to arrange a new landlord insurance policy.