Do tenants need home insurance?
Landlords cover the building – but you’ll usually need contents insurance to protect your belongings.
Renting in then UK is expensive, so it’s natural to wonder if you can skip extras like home insurance. The good news: you don’t need buildings insurance – that’s your landlord’s job. But your landlord’s policy won’t cover your stuff. That’s where contents insurance comes in. This guide answers the common questions and shows why contents cover is still worth having.
What’s the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
Think of it like this:
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Building insurance = landlord’s responsibility. It covers the property itself: walls, roof, fixtures, fitted kitchen and bathroom.
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Contents insurance = your responsibility. It covers your stuff: furniture, clothes, gadgets, jewellery, bikes, and more.
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Combined policies are for homeowners, not renters. For a detailed explanation of how home insurance works, head to our full Home insurance guide.
So if a storm damages the roof, your landlord’s policy should cover it. If your laptop’s stolen, you’ll need contents cover.
When might a tenant need buildings insurance?
Most tenants don’t. But a few rare cases exist:
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Lodgers with unusual contracts.
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Property guardianship arrangements.
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Tenancy agreements that explicitly require it.
Always check your contract. Don’t pay for buildings cover you don’t need.
What does contents insurance cover?
Even if buildings insurance isn’t yours to worry about, contents insurance can be vital. It can cover:
Theft, fire or flood damaging or destroying your belongings.
Accidental damage to your landlord’s property (eg, spilling red wine on the carpet). This is sometimes called tenant liability cover.
Alternative accommodation if your rented home becomes uninhabitable after an insured event.
Without it, you’d have to foot the bill yourself.
What’s usually not covered
Standard policies don’t include everything. Common exclusions include:
Normal wear and tear.
Theft without forced entry.
Items outside the home (unless you add “personal possessions” cover).
For the full breakdown of what’s covered and what's not, see our Renters’ contents insurance guide.
How much does tenants’ insurance cost?
Contents-only cover is often cheaper than people think – from £50–£150 a year depending on cover level, location and extras. That’s usually far less than replacing a laptop, phone and TV all at once
As with all types of insurance, it's worth comparing providers and policies to get the best price. For full info and details on how to save on contents insurance read our Renters' contents insurance guide.
Tenants' contents insurance FAQs
No. There’s no legal requirement to have renters’ or tenants’ insurance in the UK. Your landlord must insure the building, but it’s up to you whether you insure your belongings. Go without and you’re taking the risk of being out of pocket if they’re stolen, damaged or destroyed.
Yes. If you think you need more protection than a standard renters' insurance policy can provide, many insurers do offer add-ons to boost your coverage. Read more in our contents insurance guide
Often yes. Many policies can be transferred to a new address, though your premium may change depending on the property or postcode. Always tell your insurer when you move.
Yes. The less you have to insure, the lower the premium. But don’t underestimate your contents. Add up the cost of replacing everything, even basics like clothes and kitchenware, to avoid being underinsured.
No. Your landlord covers the building. But you’ll still need contents insurance if you want protection for your belongings. Some councils and housing associations run low-cost “tenant contents schemes” – worth checking before buying elsewhere.
Is renters’ insurance mandatory in the UK?
Can you get extra cover with my rental contents insurance?
Can I take my insurance with me when I move?
Is tenants’ insurance cheaper if I don’t own much?
Do I need home insurance if I’m a council or housing association tenant?
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