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Landlord contents insurance
Compare contents cover for your rental properties.
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Accurate as of December 2025
What is landlord contents insurance?
Landlord contents insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing items that belong to the landlord and are kept in a rental property. It protects things like furniture, appliances, and soft furnishings. If these items are damaged, destroyed, or stolen, the policy pays for repairs or replacements.
It’s different from landlord buildings insurance, which covers the structure of the property – walls, roof, fixtures and fittings. It’s also separate from tenant contents insurance, which protects the tenant’s personal belongings.
Contents-only cover may be suitable if you rent out a furnished property but the building itself is already insured elsewhere – for example, through a freeholder or block policy. If you own and let out the entire property, a combined buildings and contents policy is usually more appropriate, especially if you also want extra protection such as loss of rent, alternative accommodation, or subsidence cover.
Do landlords need landlord contents insurance?
Landlord contents insurance isn't a legal requirement. However, it can be worthwhile if you provide items such as furniture, carpets, curtains or white goods for your tenants.
As a landlord, you'll usually need buildings insurance if you have a buy-to-let mortgage. Even when it is not required, it can be an important way to protect the property.
Landlord buildings insurance is usually a key part of a landlord insurance policy. Landlord contents insurance might also be included, or available as an optional add-on.
Landlord insurance can also cover property owner's liability, loss of rent, rent guarantee insurance and legal expenses, contents cover specifically protects the landlord's belongings inside the property. If these items are damaged or destroyed by an insured event, such as a fire, escape of water or theft, your policy can cover the cost of repairing or replacing them. Many insurers also offer optional extras, including accidental damage and emergency home assistance.
What's covered by landlord contents insurance?
Landlord contents insurance covers items that belong to you – not the tenant – and are kept inside the rental property. It applies to loose contents, not fixed parts of the building.
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Covered
✔ Furniture
Covers furniture you provide for tenants, such as sofas, beds, tables, chairs and wardrobes. If these items are damaged or stolen following an insured event, your policy can help pay to repair or replace them.
✔ White goods and appliances
Usually covers freestanding appliances you own, such as washing machines, fridges, freezers, dishwashers and microwaves. Built-in units and integrated appliances are normally treated as part of the building and covered by buildings insurance instead.
✔ Soft furnishings and household items
Items such as carpets, curtains, rugs, lamps and other furnishings you provide are typically covered against insured risks including fire, theft and escape of water.
✔ Contents in outbuildings
Some policies extend cover to items stored in sheds, garages or other outbuildings, such as gardening equipment or lawnmowers. Check your policy to see whether this is included.
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Not covered
✖️ Tenant's belongings
Your policy only covers items you own. Your tenant's clothes, furniture, electronics and other personal possessions should be insured under their own contents insurance.
Many insurers restrict cover if a property is left empty for an extended period. You may need specialist unoccupied property insurance to remain protected.
✖️ Wear and tear
General deterioration through everyday use, such as fading, rust or age-related damage, isn't covered by landlord contents insurance.
✖️ High-value items and illegal activity
Expensive belongings above the policy's single-item limit may require additional cover. Claims arising from illegal activity at the property are also typically excluded.
Our expert says…
As a landlord, you may need buildings insurance, particularly if it's required by your mortgage lender or lease. Contents cover is usually optional, but it's worth considering if you let out a furnished property. It can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings if they're damaged, destroyed or stolen following an insured event. Many insurers also offer optional accidental damage cover for added protection.
David McDermottroe Insurance & Personal Finance Expert
How much does landlord contents insurance cost?
The premiums you’ll pay for landlord contents insurance will depend on a number of factors:
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Your contents
The more valuable your contents, the more you'll usually pay. Make sure you accurately estimate the replacement cost of everything you provide, from furniture and appliances to carpets and curtains. High-value items above the policy's single-item limit may need additional cover.
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Your security
Properties with good security are generally cheaper to insure. Features such as approved door and window locks, burglar alarms and secure entry systems can reduce the risk of theft and may help lower your premium.
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Your location
Where your rental property is located also affects the cost. Homes in areas with higher crime rates or a greater risk of flooding or subsidence typically cost more to insure because they're more likely to generate claims.
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Your policy choices
The level of cover you choose will affect the price. Adding optional extras, such as accidental damage, new-for-old replacement or landlord liability cover, increases your protection but will usually increase your premium too.
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Your excess
A higher voluntary excess often means a lower premium because you'll pay more towards any successful claim. However, make sure the excess is still affordable if you need to make a claim.
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Your claims history
Insurers also consider your previous claims. If you've made several claims in recent years, you may pay more, while a claims-free history can sometimes help keep premiums lower.
What do I need to get a quote?
Before comparing landlord insurance policies, it's helpful to have some key information ready. Providing accurate details helps insurers calculate your quote.
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Tenant information
If the property is already let, you'll usually need to provide details such as the number of tenants, their employment status, the type of tenancy agreement and any referencing checks you've carried out.
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Property security
Insurers typically ask about security features, including door and window locks, burglar alarms and whether the property will be left unoccupied for extended periods.
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Value of your contents
If you're buying contents cover, estimate how much it would cost to replace everything you provide, including furniture, appliances and soft furnishings. Some policies also have single-item value limits.
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Property details
For buildings or combined cover, you'll usually need information about the property's age, construction, whether it's listed and if any building work is planned or underway.
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Your personal details
You'll need to provide your contact details. Insurers may also ask whether you've been declared bankrupt, have unspent criminal convictions or have previously had insurance declined, cancelled or subject to special terms.
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Cover options
Decide whether you need contents-only, buildings-only or combined cover, and whether you want optional extras such as accidental damage, landlord liability or rent guarantee insurance. Your choices will affect the price of your policy.
Do I still need landlord contents insurance for an unfurnished property?
Yes, you can still benefit from landlord contents insurance policy even if your property is unfurnished. Landlord contents cover can offer protection for other items you may have in the property, including:
Washing machines
Dishwashers
Curtains
Carpets.
Do I need contents insurance for my tenants belongings?
No. Your landlord contents insurance only covers items that belong to you. You are not responsible for insuring your tenants’ possessions.
Tenants should arrange their own renters’ or tenants’ insurance to protect their belongings against theft, fire, or accidental damage.
To avoid misunderstandings, clearly state this responsibility in the tenancy agreement. This helps prevent disputes if a tenant’s items are damaged and they try to claim through your policy.
Does landlord contents insurance include property owners' liability cover?
Yes. Most landlord contents policies include property owners’ liability cover. This helps pay legal costs and compensation if a tenant or visitor is injured, or if their property is damaged, and they make a claim against you.
Typical scenarios include:
a tenant tripping on loose flooring or a damaged step
injury caused by a faulty appliance you provided
damage to a visitor’s belongings caused by something in the property
Liability limits and exclusions vary by policy, so always check your policy schedule to understand the exact cover and any caps or conditions.
Does landlord contents insurance cover servicing or maintenance costs for appliances?
No. Landlord contents insurance does not cover routine servicing or maintenance of appliances and electronics. It also won’t pay for damage caused by normal wear and tear.
Contents insurance is designed to cover sudden, unexpected events.
For example:
Covered example: a washing machine is damaged by a burst pipe.
Not covered example: a fridge stops working because it hasn’t been defrosted or maintained properly.
Landlords should budget separately for regular upkeep and replacement of appliances. If ongoing servicing is a concern, consider specialist appliance or extended warranty cover to protect against breakdowns not included in a standard contents policy.
Will I be covered if my tenants deliberately destroy my property?
Damage caused deliberately by tenants is called malicious damage. This is different from accidental damage, which happens unintentionally, such as a tenant spilling water on a carpet.
Malicious damage is not always included in standard landlord contents insurance. Some providers offer it as an optional add-on, while others may not cover it at all.
Always check the policy details before buying. Look for any conditions, such as requirements for tenant referencing, security measures, or limits on the types of cover included. This ensures you know exactly what protection you have if a tenant intentionally damages your property.
How do I calculate how much landlord contents cover I need?
To calculate how much landlord contents cover you need, make a list of everything you provide for your tenants, including furniture, white goods, carpets, curtains and other furnishings. Then estimate how much it would cost to replace each item with a new equivalent today. Add these figures together to work out the total level of cover you need. Using replacement values rather than what the items are currently worth can help you avoid being underinsured.
What is the difference between landlord contents insurance and buildings insurance?
Landlord contents insurance covers the belongings you provide for tenants, such as furniture, carpets and appliances. Buildings insurance covers the structure of the property, including the walls, roof, floors and permanent fixtures like fitted kitchens and bathrooms. Many landlords choose a policy that includes both types of cover.
How do I make a landlord contents insurance claim?
To make a claim on your landlord contents insurance, contact your insurer as soon as possible after the incident and provide details of what happened. You may be asked for photographs, receipts, an inventory of damaged items or a crime reference number if the damage or loss was caused by theft or vandalism. Your insurer will explain what evidence is needed and guide you through the claims process.
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Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026 by
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
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