Landlords liability insurance
Landlords liability insurance – also known as property owners’ liability insurance – covers you when you have to pay compensation to a third party for accidental injury to them, or damage to their property because of your ownership of, or legal responsibility for, the insured property.
This cover is included as part of your Hiscox landlords insurance policy. It can provide peace of mind for landlords, offering financial support to tackle legal disputes and potential claims.
Why choose Hiscox for landlords liability insurance?
1
Automatic inclusion
Landlords liability insurance is provided as standard when you buy landlords buildings insurance with Hiscox.
2
Legal protection
Our landlords liability insurance covers you up to £250,000 for representation costs.
3
Industry-leading cover
We cover up to £5 million in legal and compensation costs as a standard, helping you manage even the most severe incidents. Limits and exclusions apply.
What is landlords liability insurance?
Landlords liability insurance, also known as property owners’ liability insurance, covers you when you have to pay compensation to any third-party for accidental injury to them, or damage to their property, which occurs during the period of insurance and as a result of your ownership of, or legal responsibility for, the insured property.
Do I need landlords liability insurance?
Landlords liability insurance can provide reassurance and financial security for landlords.
Many mortgage lenders require landlords to have landlords liability insurance as a condition for approving their loan.
What’s included in your landlords liability cover?
Landlords liability cover – sometimes called property owners’ liability cover – insures you against claims made by a tenant or visitor for injury or damage to their belongings due to a fault with your property.
If you’re found liable, this insurance could cover the associated costs, including compensation payouts and legal fees, such as court costs.
Hiscox property owners’ liability insurance can help protect you against claims related to bodily injury or property damage, with £5 million cover as standard for potential legal and compensation costs.
A dedicated, UK-based Claims Underwriter is assigned to all claims as standard. They will be a single person who manages your claim from start to finish, ensuring minimum disruption to both you and your tenants.
In addition to this, Hiscox landlords liability insurance includes the following:
- Claims under £5k paid immediately into your bank account
- No excess for claims over £25k
- The option to report claims 24/7 via our online portal.
What’s not covered in your Hiscox landlords liability insurance?
Our landlords liability insurance does not cover claims, losses or investigations arising from:
- Property used for business purposes (except home office)
- Ownership, possession, or use of watercraft, scooters, hovercraft, aircraft, drones, or vehicles (except domestic gardening equipment)
- Injury or death of your employees
- Pollution (unless from a sudden, unexpected incident)
- Cyber-attacks or errors affecting digital technology.
Please refer to the policy documents for the full details of inclusions and exclusions of this cover. Policy documents are available when purchasing online. You can also contact our customer services team for more information.
What is a landlord’s duty of care?
A landlord’s duty of care is a legal obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of tenants and visitors to their property.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (external link) and Defective Premises Act 1972 (external link) help define this duty in England and Wales. These laws hold landlords to standards of care, such as:
- Ensuring properties are fit for human habitation at the beginning and throughout the tenancy
- Conducting period inspections to identify and address potential hazards
- Carrying out preventative maintenance to avoid dangerous conditions
- Addressing repairs promptly, especially those affecting safety or habitability
They give tenants the right to take legal action if landlords fail to maintain these standards.
No matter how seriously you take your duty of care as a landlord, incidents can occur. Landlords liability insurance can provide protection against claims arising from alleged breaches of these duties, covering legal costs and potential damages awarded to tenants or visitors.
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What are a landlord’s repair duties?
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (external link), landlords have the following repair responsibilities:
- Structure and exterior – maintain the building’s structure and exterior, including the walls, roof, floors, drains, gutters, external pipes, and foundation
- Utilities – maintain the supply of water, gas, electricity, and sanitation, including sinks, baths, basins, and toilets
- Heating and water – maintain the installations for heating space and water
Responsible landlords pride themselves on maintaining their property and providing quality housing for tenants. Regardless of your commitment, mishaps can happen.
Landlords liability insurance can help protect you if you’re held liable for bodily injury or property damage claims received in breach of these duties.
How can I pay for landlords liability insurance?
You can pay for Hiscox landlords insurance annually or by direct debit monthly at no extra cost .
You can cancel your policy at any time with no administrative fees.
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