Our full policy covers:
What is unoccupied landlord insurance?
As a landlord, you can’t always guarantee you’ll have tenants for your rental properties.
Unoccupied landlord insurance can help protect you against the complications that can happen when you’re left without occupants.
Our landlord insurance for vacant properties can help cover you for potential issues or damages that can happen when your let is unoccupied.
What does unoccupied landlord insurance cover?
Our unoccupied property insurance can provide cover for buildings and contents. This type of policy can include protection against FLEE (fire, lightning, earthquake, or explosion), theft or attempted theft, and subsidence. This type of policy typically provides cover for damage to appliances, fixtures, or fittings, as well as for stains on carpet or furniture.
Here are some of the protections our insurance for an empty property can offer:
- Building insurance for a vacant property: Can cover you for loss or damage directly caused by a range of insured events, including fly tipping and removal of pests
- Contents insurance for a vacant property: Can cover you for loss or damage directly caused by a range of insured events, including attempted theft and malicious damage
- Liability cover for an unoccupied property: Can provide property owners’ liability and landlords’ legal liability cover
These are brief product descriptions only. Please refer to the policy documentation paying particular attention to the terms and conditions, exclusions, warranties, subjectivities, excesses and any endorsements.
What isn’t covered by unoccupied landlord insurance?
There are some protections that unoccupied landlord insurance policies don’t cover, such as:
- Wear and tear or issues that happen gradually: These may include damp formed over time because of blocked or poorly maintained guttering, or the mechanical or electrical failure of a television.
- The cost of replacing undamaged or remaining items: This can also include goods that form part of a pair, set, or suite, following loss of or damage to the matching items.
Why should landlords have unoccupied property insurance?
Finding suitable replacement tenants or carrying out renovations can take time and cost money. When your property is unoccupied, there’s also a greater risk of unexpected damage, vandalism, and theft.
Arranging suitable landlord insurance for your unoccupied property can help protect you against unforeseen events when you’re between tenants.
Our unoccupied landlord insurance can cover you for several empty property scenarios that may arise, including:
- Finding suitable replacement tenants
- Awaiting tenants to take on your property
- Carrying out building works or renovation works
- Waiting for work or renovations to be finished
If you require empty home insurance for a reason not listed, get in touch and let us know your situation. As a specialist insurance provider, we aim to help you find suitable cover.
Our unoccupied landlord insurance is a 12-month policy that can cover for any length of time your unoccupied home is empty. You can pay by Direct Debit over 12 months.
Once your rental property is occupied again, you may be able to switch your policy to one for rental properties or UK holiday homes.
How much does unoccupied property landlord insurance cost?
The cost of your unoccupied landlord insurance policy depends on several factors, including:
- The level of cover you require: The scope of the cover you need for your property can affect the cost.
- Your property’s location: Properties located in high-risk areas, such as flood-prone regions or areas with high crime rates, may increase your premium.
- Your claims history: A history of regular insurance claims may result in higher premiums.
- Your property: The size, age, and condition of your property can also influence insurance costs. Older properties or those with certain features, such as swimming pools, may require additional cover, which can increase your premium.
How can landlords keep their unoccupied property safe?
Unoccupied properties can be vulnerable to issues that are less likely when you have tenants. However, there are measures you can take to keep your property safe while it’s empty.
Regularly inspecting your property can help you identify potential issues before they escalate.
For instance, if you notice early signs of infestation, you can book a pest control expert to tackle the issue before further damage occurs. You can also check locks on your doors and windows for signs of attempted forced entry to help ensure your property stays secure.
Consider having your unoccupied property professionally drained during the colder months to help prevent water damage from a burst pipe.
Why choose Just Landlords for your unoccupied insurance?
Choosing a trusted insurance provider can give you peace of mind as a landlord. Here’s why so many landlords choose Just Landlords:
- Rated ‘Excellent’ with over 1,000 reviews on Trustpilot*
- We have an in-house customer service team based in Nottingham
- Our specialist team is available to assist by phone, LiveChat, or email
- We have over 25 years of experience providing insurance to landlords
*Correct as of November 2025
As respected landlord insurance specialists, we’ve helped thousands of landlords secure a policy based on their specific requirements.
Get a quote online or call us on 0808 168 9220. Our knowledgeable team of in-house insurance specialists will be happy to guide you through the process.
Our frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about legal responsibilities for tenants and landlords.
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.
What are the risk management duties as a landlord with an empty property?
If your rental property is unoccupied for seven days or more, some insurance providers will require you to take risk management measures, including:
- Inspecting your property (internally and externally) to document its condition every seven days
- Removing all existing waste from inside and outside the property
- Draining your pipes and turning all services off
- Sealing letterboxes and boarding up windows if your property is unoccupied for a longer period
When do I need vacant property insurance?
There are a number of scenarios that may require this type of insurance. Our unoccupied home insurance has been created with rental properties in mind.
When your property is going through a void period, also known as an unoccupied period, it might not be protected by standard home insurance. This is why it’s worth considering if unoccupied property insurance can provide you with more suitable cover.
How can I insure my unoccupied property?
If you are in need of unoccupied home insurance, you can use our online form to get a quote.
Our form will ask you to specify details such as the address of your empty house, what the building is made of, and previous insurance history.
If we are able to offer you unoccupied home insurance cover, you will be provided with a quote, our policy documents, and a summary of the cover. You will then have the option to proceed with the purchase of an insurance policy.
As an insurance provider of specialist cover for landlords, we can offer protection for a range of needs, as well as for an empty property.
Landlord Insurance, which is also referred to as Buy to Let Insurance, can include the following:
- Landlord building cover
- Landlord liability cover
- HMO cover
- DSS tenant cover
- Loss of rent cover
- Alternative accommodation cover
We also offer Rent Guarantee Insurance to help protect rental income if tenants can’t or won’t pay the rent.
Our UK Holiday Home Insurance/Second Home Insurance can also be suitable for Airbnb properties.
If you are in need of cover for more than one property, you may be able to benefit from multiple property insurance on one policy.
What is a void period?
A void period, also known as an unoccupied period, is when there is no one staying overnight at the premises for a length of time. This length of time can vary, but the longer a residential property is empty, the longer an issue might go unnoticed.
Typically, a void period of 30 days or more can require cover from a specialist insurance provider. Student lets might see an extended period of being empty, which we can also help with.
What could happen to make a property vacant?
A number of scenarios can leave a property unoccupied. For example, it might be undergoing a renovation or awaiting new occupants. The homeowner could be living or working abroad, or the home might be vacant due to the owner passing away or moving into care.
What is property owners’ liability cover?
This type of cover is there for your legal liability as the property owner for amounts you become legally liable to pay for damages, including bodily injury or damage to the property caused by an accident happening at the premises.
How is unoccupied property insurance different to standard home insurance?
Standard home insurance policies can require someone to be living in the property as part of the terms and conditions. This is often due to homes being more vulnerable to certain perils when left unoccupied. For example, maintenance issues such as escape of water can go unnoticed, causing more damage the longer they are left. Equally, theft or attempted theft can become more likely if it is apparent that no one is living in the property.
Does empty property cover provide probate house insurance?
Our cover is suitable for a number of scenarios for empty properties, including ones in probate. Buildings insurance and contents insurance are available for unoccupied properties in probate.
Does vacant property insurance include legal expenses?
Depending on the level of cover, insurance for vacant properties can help to cover legal expenses. Our Unoccupied Property Insurance can cover legal expenses for accidents to domestic staff, property owners’ liability, and occupier or landlord’s liability.
Do I need to check up on an empty house?
It can be worth checking up on an empty property to catch any issues early. Regular visits might also help to deter any potential burglars. Our Unoccupied Property Insurance requires the policyholder to inspect the unoccupied property at least once every month between February to October and every 14 days during November to January.
Accurate records of these inspections and any work done to maintain the security of the premises should be kept. In the event of a claim, you may be asked for these documents.
Do I need to check up on an empty house?
It can be worth checking up on an empty property to catch any issues early. Regular visits might also help to deter any potential burglars. Our Unoccupied Property Insurance requires the policyholder to inspect the unoccupied property at least once every month between February to October and every 14 days during November to January.
Accurate records of these inspections and any work done to maintain the security of the premises should be kept. In the event of a claim, you may be asked for these documents.
Does your buildings insurance provide cover for water damage?
Water damage is included in our unoccupied property cover, as well as perils such as storm damage. The full list of covers can be found in our unoccupied property insurance policy documents.
How can I find out the rebuild cost of my unoccupied property?
A survey of the property can help you find out the rebuild value of your unoccupied property. Alternatively, the Association of British Insurers ABI) website provides a rebuild calculator that can help to give an indication of cost.
How do I make a claim?
We aim to deal with a claim as quickly and as efficiently as possible. For every claim, we must receive a completed claim form. You can do this online or download a claim form to fill out and send to us.
All claim forms must be fully completed, including up to two separate independent estimates or quotations for any damage or items that form your claim. We will need you to substantiate your loss and its value.
For more information on how to make a claim, including where to send a completed form, visit our Make a Claim page.
Do I need to tell my insurance provider if my property is going to be unoccupied?
Yes, if your property is empty, your home insurance may no longer be valid. Your home insurance provider may advise you that your cover is restricted or that it needs to be changed to unoccupied home insurance cover.
