UK Buy-to-Let Landlord Insurance Quotes
Buy-to-Let Insurance
Landlord insurance for your buy-to-let, covering the buildings your lender requires, your rental income and your liability as a property owner.
Why compare buy-to-let insurance with us?
- Compare buildings and property owners' liability cover your lender requires
- Suitable for first-time, accidental and portfolio buy-to-let landlords
What is buy-to-let insurance?
Buy-to-let insurance is landlord insurance arranged for a mortgaged rental property, built around buildings cover at full rebuild cost because a buy-to-let mortgage lender requires buildings insurance with their interest noted as a condition of the loan. Cover protects the structure against fire, flood, storm, escape of water, subsidence, malicious damage and theft, and includes property owners' liability for tenant or visitor injury, with options for loss of rent, landlord contents, rent guarantee, legal expenses and home emergency. Standard home insurance is not valid once a property is let, so letting on a residential policy risks every claim being declined and leaves the lender's security unprotected.
Buy-to-let insurance covers a single property bought to let to tenants, usually on an assured shorthold tenancy. It suits first-time buy-to-let landlords, accidental landlords letting a former home, and investors adding a further property to a growing let portfolio. Because a mainstream home insurer will not treat a tenanted property the same way as an owner-occupied one, specialist broker placement matters far more than a standard home insurance quote.
Policies split by how the property is held and let. Buy-to-let landlord insurance covers a single property let on an assured shorthold tenancy, with buildings, property owners' liability and loss of rent priced into the policy. Where a landlord holds several properties, portfolio cover places them on one schedule and one renewal date, which suits investors buying through a limited company or SPV. The two price differently because the risks differ at the underlying level.
Brokers on our panel underwrite residential lets every day. They understand the difference between rebuild cost and market value, why the lender needs their interest noted, why void periods between tenancies must be declared, how the average clause cuts a claim when the rebuild figure is set too low, and the tighter appetite for flat roofs, subsidence-prone ground and flood-risk postcodes. They price the policy against the real property and tenancy rather than treating every let the same way.
Related landlord cover
How buy-to-let insurance works
Tell us about your property
Property type, rebuild cost, tenancy, occupancy, location, construction, your mortgage lender and any past claims. The more accurately you declare these details, the tighter the quotes the specialist underwriting panel can send back.
Compare specialist buy-to-let quotes
Your details go to brokers who underwrite residential lets daily. They price buildings at rebuild cost, contents, property owners' liability and loss of rent against your specific property and tenancy.
Choose your cover and stay protected
Pick the policy that fits your let and satisfies your lender, with buildings cover to at least the rebuild value and their interest noted on the schedule.
What does buy-to-let insurance cover?
A buy-to-let policy is built around buildings cover at rebuild cost, the part your mortgage lender insists on, then adds the liability and rent protection a let property needs. Optional extras cover tenant default, eviction and damage.
Core cover
Included as standardBuildings at full rebuild cost
The structure insured to rebuild value, and the condition your lender sets on the loan.
Property owners' liability
Cover of £2m to £5m if a tenant or visitor is injured by a fault with the building.
Loss of rent and alternative accommodation
Replaces rent and rehouses tenants if the property is left uninhabitable after an insured event.
Optional extras
Add if you need itRent guarantee
Pays your rent when a referenced tenant defaults, around £195 a year to add.
Legal expenses and eviction cover
Meets the cost of pursuing possession and eviction, around £60 a year.
Accidental and malicious damage by tenants
Covers damage a tenant causes, whether by accident or on purpose, above fair wear and tear.
What buy-to-let insurance does not cover
A buy-to-let policy is built around the declared property type, tenancy, occupancy status, rebuild value and how the property is looked after. Once the property moves beyond any of those declared limits, the policy stops paying out. Knowing where the policy ends matters as much as knowing what it includes, particularly because underinsurance, void periods and undisclosed facts are the three biggest reasons buy-to-let claims are reduced or declined.
Wear and tear
Loss caused by ageing, general deterioration and everyday use falls outside the cover. Buy-to-let landlords are expected to keep the property in good repair and refresh it between tenancies. Insurance covers sudden and unforeseen events, not the routine cost of maintaining a let property.
Void periods beyond the limit
Most policies restrict cover once a property has stood empty beyond a set limit, usually 30 to 60 days between tenancies or during refurbishment. After that, perils such as escape of water, theft, malicious and accidental damage fall away unless you arrange specific unoccupied property cover.
Tenant's own belongings
A buy-to-let policy covers your buildings and any landlord contents you provide, not your tenant's furniture, electronics or personal possessions. Those are the tenant's responsibility to insure through their own contents policy. Make this clear at the start of the tenancy so nobody assumes they are covered.
Underinsurance and the average clause
Where the buildings sum insured falls short of the real rebuild cost, the average clause applies and cuts each claim by the same proportion as the shortfall. A property insured for 75% of its rebuild value has every claim settled at 75%. Insure at full rebuild cost, not market value, and remember your lender needs cover to at least the rebuild figure.
Undeclared use or occupancy
A buy-to-let policy is rated on the use you declare. Letting a room short term, running a business from the property, subletting or switching from a single household to a shared house without telling your broker can leave a claim reduced or declined. Update your broker whenever the tenancy or use changes.
Gradual damage and slow-acting causes
Slow leaks, condensation, penetrating damp, rot and problems that build up over time are treated as gradual damage, not an insured event. Repairing a failing roof, blocked guttering or perished sealant is the landlord's responsibility, and any resulting damage is unlikely to be met.
How much is excluded differs widely from one insurer to the next and from one property to another. Always check the policy wording carefully on void limits, rebuild value, tenant type and material facts before buying. For a closer look at cover between tenancies, see our unoccupied property insurance guide.
Who buy-to-let insurance is for
Buy-to-let cover is landlord insurance arranged for a mortgaged rental property, built around buildings at rebuild cost because the lender insists on it. It fits a range of landlords, from a first purchase to a full portfolio held in a company. These are the profiles it is usually written for.
First-time buy-to-let landlords
Buying a first rental on a buy-to-let mortgage that requires buildings insurance from completion.
Accidental landlords letting a former home
Now renting out a house they used to live in, where home insurance no longer stands.
Single-property landlords
Letting one house or flat on an assured shorthold tenancy and insuring it on its own policy.
Portfolio landlords
Holding several let properties, often on one schedule with a single renewal date.
Limited company and SPV landlords
Owning rentals through a company or special purpose vehicle rather than in a personal name.
Leasehold-flat landlords
Letting a leasehold flat, where the freeholder often insures the block and tenants' contents sit apart.
What affects buy-to-let insurance costs
Buy-to-let premiums vary more widely than almost any other property cover. A modern semi-detached house let to a working couple on an assured shorthold tenancy sits in a very different bracket to a converted flat in a flood-risk postcode. The median buildings-only policy runs at around £285 a year, roughly £24 a month, but the spread reaches from about £73 for a low-risk rural let to £1,470 or more in inner London. Knowing which factors drive the premium puts you in a better position to ask the right questions before you buy, and to set the sums insured your mortgage lender relies on.
Set the rebuild value to at least the figure your lender requires, and declare the tenancy and occupancy accurately at quote stage. Insurer appetite for let property differs more than most landlords expect. Some insurers will not write accidental lets, tenants on benefits, company lets or property left empty between tenancies. Others specialise in exactly those risks. A specialist broker knows which insurer fits which risk profile, which is why the same property can produce quotes 30 to 50% apart across the market. Get the rebuild figure right too, because underinsurance triggers the average clause and cuts every claim payout proportionally.
MMC Buy-to-Let Insurance Specialists, FCA-authorised (reg. 916241)
Property type and construction
Property type moves the price on its own: a semi-detached let averages around £177, a terraced house £269, a purpose-built flat £255 and a detached house £364 a year. Non-standard construction such as timber frame, flat roofs, thatch or listed status pushes the premium up, as does the age and condition of the building.
Rebuild value and sums insured
The single biggest price factor, and the figure your buy-to-let lender insists on. Buildings cover rates on full rebuild cost, not market value, so premiums run from about £73 in low-risk areas to £1,470 or more in inner London. Loss of rent and contents sums insured stack on top and lift the premium in step.
Tenant type and tenancy
Who lives in the property matters. A working tenant or family on an assured shorthold tenancy is the cheapest to cover, while students, tenants on benefits, company lets and short lets all rate higher. The type of tenancy you let on, and how the property is occupied, shapes both the price and which insurers will quote.
Location, postcode and flood risk
Environment Agency flood zones, subsidence areas and local crime rates all feed directly into rating, which is why an inner London let can cost many times a rural one. In the highest-risk postcodes, flood and subsidence excesses run much higher, and some perils may carry their own separate excess.
Claims history and void periods
Previous escape of water, flood, subsidence or theft claims load the premium and can bring higher excesses or peril exclusions. Voids between tenancies matter too: most policies limit cover once a property sits empty beyond 30 to 60 days, so tell your insurer and add unoccupied cover between lets.
Security, locks and alarms
BS EN compliant locks on all final exit doors, a monitored intruder alarm, smoke and CO alarms and an up-to-date Gas Safety Record and EICR all reduce the premium. Meeting an insurer's minimum security clause also keeps theft cover valid at claim time.
Every let is rated on its own construction, tenants, location and security setup. Compare buy-to-let insurance quotes to see how your specific property, tenants and security shape the premium across our specialist broker panel.
How much does buy-to-let insurance cost?
Buy-to-let premiums are driven mainly by what it would cost to rebuild the property, so the price shifts with property type and construction. The figures below show where typical buildings cover sits for the most common let properties.
| Property type | Typical premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced house | Around £269 a year | Most common buy-to-let |
| Semi-detached | Around £177 a year | Lower-risk standard construction |
| Purpose-built flat | Around £255 a year | Leasehold, buildings often via freeholder |
| Detached house | Around £364 a year | Higher rebuild value |
Median buildings-only cover is about £285 a year, roughly £24 a month. Rebuild value is the biggest single factor in what you pay, so two similar-looking houses can price differently once construction and location are taken into account.
Figures are illustrative and not a quotation. Your premium depends on your property, tenants, rebuild value and claims history.
How buy-to-let insurance comparison works
Comparing cover for a mortgaged rental takes a few minutes. Tell us about the property once and get matched with brokers who underwrite landlord risk every day.
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Tell us about your buy-to-let
Share the basics on your rental: the property and construction, your tenants, the rebuild value and whether it sits on a buy-to-let mortgage.
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Get matched with specialist landlord brokers
Your details go to FCA-authorised brokers who arrange buildings cover at rebuild cost, property owners' liability and loss of rent for let property.
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Compare quotes and get covered
Weigh up the quotes side by side, check the cover meets your lender's condition, and put the policy in place before your tenancy starts.
Buy-to-let mortgage and landlord requirements
A mortgaged rental comes with obligations to the lender, to tenants and to the law before the first rent is paid. Buildings insurance to rebuild value, consent to let, safety certificates, energy standards and the new tenancy rules all apply from day one. Open any section below to see the eight requirements buy-to-let landlords ask about most often.
Buy-to-let mortgage buildings insurance
A buy-to-let mortgage requires buildings insurance to at least the full rebuild value, with the lender's interest noted on the policy. Lenders treat this as a condition of the loan, so the sum insured has to reflect the cost of rebuilding the property, not its market or purchase price.
Buy-to-let cover is landlord insurance arranged for a mortgaged rental, built around buildings cover at rebuild cost. Take the rebuild figure from a survey or the RICS calculator, and keep the policy in force for the life of the mortgage. Compare buy-to-let landlord insurance to see how buildings sums insured are rated.
Consent to let from your mortgage lender
If you are letting a former home, you need consent to let from your lender before tenants move in, or a switch to a buy-to-let mortgage. Letting on a residential mortgage without consent breaches the loan terms and can put both the mortgage and the insurance at risk.
Accidental landlords letting a property they used to live in are the group most likely to miss this step. Tell the lender, arrange landlord cover, and put the tenancy on an assured shorthold tenancy before the let begins.
Standard home insurance lapses once the property is let
Standard home insurance assumes the owner lives in the property. Once it is let to tenants the policy is no longer valid, because the risk it was priced for has changed. Any claim made while the property is let can be reduced or declined.
Letting on a residential policy without telling the insurer is a material non-disclosure under the Insurance Act 2015, which is grounds for the policy being avoided. Landlord insurance replaces it and rates the property correctly as a let.
EPC: minimum E now, EPC C proposed by 2030
A property let in England and Wales needs an Energy Performance Certificate of at least band E before it can be let legally. Letting below the minimum standard without a valid exemption can bring a financial penalty from the local authority.
The government has proposed raising the minimum to EPC C for private rentals by 2030, so factor any insulation, heating or glazing upgrades into your plans. Compare landlord insurance quotes alongside the wider running costs of the let.
Renters' Rights Act 2025
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions from 1 May 2026 and replaces fixed terms with rolling periodic tenancies. Landlords will regain possession only on specified grounds, so the way tenancies begin and end is changing.
The Act also brings in annual limits on rent increases and wider tenant protections. Legal expenses and eviction cover, added to a landlord policy, can help meet the cost of a possession claim brought on the correct grounds.
Gas Safety Record and 5-yearly EICR
A let property needs an annual Gas Safety Record (CP12) from a Gas Safe registered engineer, covering every gas appliance, flue and pipework, with a copy given to tenants at the start of the tenancy.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is required at least every 5 years, and the wiring has to be kept in a satisfactory condition throughout the tenancy. Insurers can ask to see both certificates before settling a fire or liability claim.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Working smoke alarms are required on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance such as a boiler, gas fire or wood burner.
Alarms have to be tested at the start of each tenancy and kept in working order throughout. This is one of the simplest compliance points to overlook, and a missing or faulty alarm can weaken a claim after a fire.
Tenancy deposit protection
A deposit taken on an assured shorthold tenancy has to be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, with the prescribed information given to the tenant. Getting this wrong can block a possession claim and lead to a penalty.
The deposit covers fair wear and tear and end-of-tenancy disputes, so it sits alongside a landlord insurance policy rather than inside it. Malicious damage by tenants can be added to cover as an endorsement where the deposit is not enough.
Every let carries its own mortgage, safety and tenancy obligations. Compare landlord insurance quotes to see how your property, tenancy and cover requirements are rated across the MyMoneyComparison.com broker panel.
Who needs buy-to-let insurance?
Anyone letting a mortgaged property to tenants needs buy-to-let insurance, but the policy looks very different depending on whether you own a single let, a growing portfolio, or a leasehold flat, and whether you hold it in your own name or through a company. Standard home insurance is invalid the moment a property is let, and a buy-to-let mortgage lender will require buildings cover to at least the rebuild value as a condition of the loan.
First-time buy-to-let landlords
Landlords buying a first rental to let on an assured shorthold tenancy. Cover needs buildings at full rebuild cost, with the lender's interest noted, plus property owners' liability and loss of rent priced into the policy from day one.
Accidental landlords
People letting a former home they inherited, moved out of or could not sell. Switching from a residential policy to landlord cover, and getting consent to let from the mortgage lender, keeps the buildings insurance valid once tenants move in.
Portfolio landlords
Landlords holding two or more mortgaged lets who want a single schedule and one renewal date. Portfolio cover handles mixed property types and locations under one arrangement rather than separate policies bought piecemeal.
Single-property landlords
Landlords with one let property who want cover matched to that single risk. A standalone buy-to-let policy prices the buildings, liability and loss of rent for that home, with add-ons like rent guarantee or legal expenses chosen as needed.
Leasehold-flat landlords
Landlords letting a leasehold flat where the freeholder or block policy insures the building. Contents, loss of rent and property owners' liability cover the gap the block policy leaves for the individual let flat.
Ltd company and SPV landlords
Landlords holding buy-to-let property through a limited company or SPV (special purpose vehicle). Policies are issued in the company name, with directors and beneficial owners disclosed at quote stage to match the ownership structure.
Whatever the property and tenancy, cover should reflect how the property is actually let and how you hold it. Compare buy-to-let insurance quotes to match the policy to your property, tenants and ownership structure.
Buy-to-let insurance vs standard home insurance
The two products are commonly confused but cover fundamentally different situations. Buy-to-let cover is landlord insurance arranged for a mortgaged rental let to tenants, built around property owners' liability and rental income protection. Standard home insurance assumes the owner and their household live in the property, and it does not contemplate tenants at all. It becomes invalid once the property is let, which is one of the most common reasons a buildings claim is reduced or declined.
| Comparison | Buy-to-let landlord insurance Property let to tenants | Standard home insurance Lived in by the owner |
|---|---|---|
| Who lives in the property | Tenants on an assured shorthold tenancy. Often working tenants, sharers, students or a family who are not the owner | The owner and their household live in the property as their main home. No tenancy agreement and no rent changing hands |
| Underwriting basis | Rated as a let property on a buy-to-let mortgage, with tenant type and occupancy declared. Buildings are covered at rebuild cost and the lender's interest is noted | Rated as an owner-occupied residence. The insurer assumes the policyholder lives there and the property is not let for profit |
| Rental income protection | Loss of rent cover included, paying the rent lost while the property is uninhabitable after an insured event such as a fire or flood | No rental income to protect. Alternative accommodation covers the owner's own household only, not lost rent from a tenant |
| Liability cover | Property owners' liability essential. The landlord stays liable for injury to tenants or visitors caused by the building. Typically £2m, with £5m available | Personal liability for the household as occupiers. It does not extend to injury claims from tenants living in a let property |
| Tenant-related risks | Void periods between tenancies, tenant default and eviction cover, and malicious or accidental tenant damage can all be added to the policy | Not applicable. With no tenants there is no void period, rent default or tenant damage for the policy to respond to |
| Damage by occupants | Malicious damage by tenants available as an endorsement. Fair wear and tear sits with the tenancy deposit, not the policy | Accidental damage to the owner's own home can be added, but there is no separate cover for damage caused by tenants |
| If you use the wrong product | Cover responds correctly and the claim is paid, because the policy matches a property let to tenants on a buy-to-let mortgage | Claim can be reduced or declined entirely. Letting on a residential policy without telling the insurer is a material non-disclosure that can void the policy |
Important: Cover detail shown is indicative of how UK landlord policies are typically structured. It is illustrative only and does not constitute a quotation or offer of insurance. Specific policy wording, sums insured, indemnity periods and exclusions vary by insurer and individual circumstances. MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA registration number 916241.
If you let a mortgaged property, a residential home policy will not cover it correctly. Compare landlord insurance quotes to make sure the cover matches the way the property is actually used.
Specialist Buy-to-Let Insurance
Specialist buy-to-let insurance comparison since 2013
Since 2013, MyMoneyComparison.com has helped UK landlords insure their buy-to-let properties without the runaround. Whether you are letting your first buy-to-let, letting a former home as an accidental landlord, holding a portfolio through a limited company or SPV, or covering a property left empty between tenancies, our specialist broker panel underwrites mortgaged rental property every day. Compare specialist buy-to-let insurance from a panel that understands rebuild cost, property owners liability, loss of rent, unoccupied property and the full range of UK buy-to-let risks.
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Everything You Need to Know
Detailed answers to help you understand more about buy-to-let landlord insurance.
What is buy-to-let insurance?
Buy-to-let insurance is landlord insurance arranged for a property you own and let to tenants, usually on an assured shorthold tenancy. It is built around buildings cover at rebuild value, plus property owners’ liability and loss of rent, and it replaces standard home insurance, which is not valid once a property is let.
Is buy-to-let insurance a legal requirement?
It is not required by law, but a buy-to-let mortgage lender requires buildings insurance to at least the rebuild value, with their interest noted, as a condition of the loan. Letting without proper cover also risks every claim being declined.
Can I use my normal home insurance for a rental?
No. Standard home insurance assumes you live in the property and becomes invalid once it is let. You need buy-to-let landlord insurance, which adds liability, loss of rent and cover for tenant-related risks.
How much does buy-to-let insurance cost?
Buildings-only cover is around £285 a year on average, roughly £24 a month. A terraced house sits near £269, a semi around £177 and a flat around £255. Rebuild value is the biggest factor, so the figure varies widely by property and location.
What does a buy-to-let policy cover?
Buildings at rebuild cost, property owners’ liability, and loss of rent if the property becomes uninhabitable. You can add landlord contents, rent guarantee, legal expenses, home emergency and cover for accidental or malicious damage by tenants.
Do I need buildings and contents cover?
Buildings cover is essential and lender-required. Contents cover is optional and worth having for furnished lets or for carpets, curtains and appliances you provide. Tenants insure their own belongings.
What is property owners' liability?
It protects you if a tenant or visitor is injured, or their property damaged, because of your building, for example a loose tile or faulty wiring. Cover of £2m is standard, with £5m available. It is one of the most important parts of a buy-to-let policy.
Do I need consent to let my home?
Yes, if you are switching a home from a residential mortgage to letting it out. You need consent to let or a buy-to-let mortgage, and you must move from home insurance to buy-to-let landlord insurance before tenants move in.
What are my responsibilities as a landlord?
You must provide a valid Gas Safety Record, an EICR (electrical check every 5 years), working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, an EPC of at least E, and protect the deposit. From May 2026 the Renters’ Rights Act also changes tenancies and ends Section 21 evictions.
Does it cover loss of rent?
Yes. If an insured event such as a fire or flood makes the property uninhabitable, loss of rent cover pays your rental income during repairs. It does not cover rent lost because a tenant stops paying, which needs separate rent guarantee cover.
Can I insure a leasehold flat I let out?
Yes. For a leasehold flat the freeholder often insures the building, so you may only need contents, liability and loss of rent. Check your lease, as you should not pay twice for buildings cover.
Why use a specialist buy-to-let broker?
Mainstream comparison sites are built around residential home insurance and struggle with let property, tenant types and void periods. A specialist landlord broker rates the risk properly and makes sure the cover responds at claim time. MyMoneyComparison.com connects you with FCA-authorised specialist brokers.
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