Guide to Landlord Liability Insurance

Landlord liability cover can protect you against claims for damage or injury made by your tenants.

But while it may be beneficial, you’re probably wondering how this type of insurance works, whether it’s a legal requirement, and which policy is best for you.

Discover what you need to know here in our landlord public liability insurance guide.

Residential landlords aren’t legally required to take out landlord liability insurance, but it can be beneficial when letting a property.

Landlord public liability insurance is usually part of a general landlord liability policy. It’s a type of cover that typically protects against damage or legal costs if someone makes a compensation claim against you.

You have a legal responsibility to provide a safe property, but even with your best efforts, accidents can happen. In these cases, your tenants could hold you liable for any injuries or losses.

The most common claims against landlord include:

• A tenant or guest tripping over a poorly fitted carpet or loose floorboard
• Poorly maintained roofs where a tile could slip and fall onto people or other parts of your property
• Leaking pipes causing water damage to your tenant’s belongings

You can’t be held accountable for all injuries to tenants and their visitors. But if negligence on your part is proven, you could face compensation and legal fees. If this happens, your cash flow could be affected, and your ability to remain in the rental property business may be at risk.

Landlord liability insurance can provide cover if a tenant makes a claim against you.

If someone makes a liability claim against you, here’s what you can do to navigate the situation:

• Notify your insurance provider: You should contact your insurance provider straight away to report the claim. Provide them with any relevant details, including the time, date, and nature of the incident. Alongside, follow any specific steps or procedures detailed in your policy for reporting claims.
• Document everything in detail: Collect and arrange any useful documentation. These may include incident reports, photographic evidence, witness statements, and any communications related to the claim. Ensure to keep detailed records of all expenses and actions taken in response to the issue.
• Avoid admitting fault: You shouldn’t admit fault or liability to the claimant or anyone else involved, as these statements could be used against you later. Allow the insurance providers and legal professionals to handle communications related to the claim.
• Work with your insurance provider: Provide your insurance company with all available information about the incident and fully cooperate with the investigation. Ensure to respond promptly to any requests for information or documentation.
• Have legal advice: Talk to a legal professional who specialises in landlord-tenant law and liability claims. Your insurance policy may cover legal representation, so be sure to check with your provider first.
• Reduce any further damage: Take reasonable steps to prevent further injury or damage by promptly addressing any potentially hazardous conditions.
• Communicate with the claimant professionally: You shouldn’t discuss details of any incidents or admit fault but maintain respectful communications with the claimant. Reassure them that the matter is in the hands of a legal professional and your insurers, offering progress updates where possible.
• Review your insurance policy: Make sure you’re familiar with the specifics of your landlord liability coverage, including any limits, exclusions, and the claims process.
• Always follow up: Keep in touch with your insurers and legal representative to stay up to date with the claim status and ensure any settlement or resolution is being handled appropriately.

Periodic building surveys can help to highlight hazards within your property that may lead to a liability claim.

The surveyor may even insist on urgent work being scheduled, such as:

• Roof repairs to prevent tiles falling and possibly injuring someone
• Structural issues such as cracks in walls or loose fixtures that could pose a safety hazard
• Maintenance of external areas, including pathways and drainage, to prevent accidents like tripping or falling

Of course, no one wants to hear bad news, but it’s better to stay on top of structural problems and prevent a risk from becoming a potentially costly liability claim.

As a landlord, you’re legally responsible for several regulations detailed in statutes, including the Housing Act 1988 and Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

You have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for your tenants, and you must understand your responsibilities to help prevent personal injury claims.

That means you’re responsible for:

• The maintenance of your building and its surrounding land
• Providing access to adequate heating, light, and hot water
• The safety and smooth running of electrics, gas, plumbing, and water systems
• Any fixtures, fittings, and furnishings you provide within the property
• Providing and maintaining smoke alarms according to fire safety regulations

For a detailed rundown of your responsibilities, read our essential landlord checklist.

Public liability landlord insurance typically covers negligence. It’s a type of landlord insurance designed to protect you from financial losses related to negligence claims.

The costs that landlord liability insurance can cover typically include medical expenses, legal support, and settlements related to the claim.

It’s worth noting that most policies are subject to specific limits and exclusions, which you should check with your provider before making a claim.

Landlord liability insurance isn’t a legal requirement in the UK. However, securing liability is a good idea as it can protect you against potentially costly and disruptive claims.

Many mortgage providers also require landlords to take out specialist insurance policies before accepting their applications.

The cost of landlord liability insurance can vary depending on your individual circumstances and additional factors such as:

• The age and type of property you own
• The location or the property
• Security measures you’ve installed, including burglar alarms and CCTV
• Your insurance claims history

At Just Landlords, we include liability insurance within our landlord insurance policy as standard. For more information, visit our dedicated landlord liability insurance page.

Without securing suitable landlord liability cover, you would need to fund the legal claim yourself and pay any damages awarded.

In addition to bearing these costs, you could be liable for covering the claimant’s legal fees, which can prove expensive.

You can make a liability claim by notifying your provider as soon as a tenant complains about being injured or suffering damage to their belongings while living in your property.

To make a claim, you’ll need to provide any letters or documents you’ve received holding you responsible for the incident.

You should also provide evidence of any repairs or maintenance you’ve historically carried out that could prove that you’ve not been negligent.

Choosing an experienced insurance provider can make a significant difference when you’re letting out a property. Here’s why so many landlords choose Just Landlords:

• Rated Great on Trustpilot*, with over 1,000 reviews
• We boast over 25 years of experience providing landlord insurance
• We have a friendly customer service and claims team based in Nottingham
• We offer friendly and reliable support available by phone, LiveChat, or email

*Correct as of May 2026

Are you ready to get the type of landlord liability cover you deserve? Get a quote online or call us on 0808 168 9220. Our team of in-house insurance specialists will be more than happy to help.

Policy limits and exclusions may apply. Please see the policy wording for full terms and conditions.

Below are some frequently asked questions about landlord public liability insurance.

Please note that these frequently asked questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions, please see the policy documentation.

No, commercial landlords aren’t legally required to have liability insurance. However, it’s highly recommended and often required by mortgage lenders before approving a lending application.

Having suitable liability cover can also provide financial protection against potentially costly claims made against you as a commercial landlord.

Public liability is often included in some landlord insurance policies, though coverage varies by provider. At Just Landlords, we cover public liability as standard as part of our landlord insurance.

This type of cover protects the landlord against claims made by tenants, but a tenant’s liability insurance policy is designed specifically for renters.

That means it’s your tenant’s responsibility to secure a suitable liability to protect their interests.

The landlord is usually responsible for sourcing, securing, and paying your landlord liability cover, not the tenant.

While it’s not a legal requirement, it’s strongly recommended to secure a suitable landlord liability policy if you are letting out to a family.

By arranging suitable cover, you can help protect yourself against claims of negligence filed against you while tenants are living in your property.

The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited trading as Just Landlords accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.