Landlords liability insurance
Landlords liability insurance, also called property owners’ liability insurance, can help if you need to pay compensation to a third party. This applies if they are accidentally injured or their property is damaged due to 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 you with peace of mind by offering financial support towards potential legal costs and claims.
Why choose Hiscox for landlords liability insurance?
1
High cover up to £5 million as standard
Our cover includes up to £5 million in legal and compensation costs as standard, supporting you in managing even the most serious incidents. Limits and exclusions apply.
2
Specialist claims support
Each claim is handled by a UK-based expert to help resolve issues with minimal disruption to you and your tenants.
3
Legal protection
Our landlords liability insurance provides up to £250,000 for representation costs.
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.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about your landlord business – we’ll build your landlords insurance quote and help you explore any other insurance needs.
Start your quoteLandlords liability insurance: FAQs
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 by direct debit monthly, on your preferred day of the month.
You can cancel your policy at any time with no administration fees.
Landlord insurance articles and guides
Landlord insurance articles and guides
Becoming a landlord: preparing for risks
Learn about the various risks that could impact landlords financially and explore our insights into managing them.
Are landlords responsible for pest control?
Dealing with pests in your rental property can be stressful and costly. This guide explores landlords' and tenants' legal obligations and best practice preventative measures when dealing with pests.
Guide to landlord access rights
Landlords occasionally need to access their rental properties. However, it's not as straightforward as showing up and entering. Learn more about the legal regulations surrounding landlord access rights.