Liability
Liability claims can lead to damages amounting to millions of pounds
Although buildings insurance is essential for protecting against property loss, liability insurance can be even more critical. If you lack buildings insurance, your financial risk is capped at the value of the property.
However, liability claims—such as cases involving severe injury or death due to negligence—can lead to damages amounting to millions of pounds. Making sure your landlord insurance policy includes sufficient third-party liability coverage is crucial. Standard homeowner policies are not tailored for rental properties, so depending on them could leave you underinsured.
Average liability claims over the last five years have been over £5,000, with one claim in 2023 totalling £45,376. In this case, the tenant suffered an injury to their finger after their hand became trapped in the back door, which was sticking and not shutting properly. This was repaired and the policy paid out compensation to the tenant for the injury.
Complete a documented risk assessment prior to the start of the tenancy
Carry out routine mid-term inspections, making sure they are documented and signed by the tenant
Provide tenants with clear contact information and encourage them to report any repairs that are needed or safety concerns. Address repairs promptly, especially urgent ones, and keep a detailed record of all actions taken
Regularly maintain the property, including outdoor areas, to make sure there are no hazards
Take out a robust landlord insurance policy that includes liability coverage specifically designed for landlords.
Find out all you need to know about landlord liability in our Ultimate guide to landlord liability insurance.
Follow the steps offered here in this guide to protecting your property from claims in 2025, and you can rest assured that you’re doing all you can to reduce your risks of having to make a claim this year. You’ll also find lots more useful information by heading over to our Knowledge Centre. By dealing with any issues promptly and carrying out regular inspections and maintenance, you can often prevent minor problems escalating into bigger ones and eating into your profits.
But of course, you can never reduce risks entirely. Having tenants living in a property is considered higher risk than an owner-occupied property, so most buy to let mortgage lenders will require landlords to have appropriate insurance in place. Normal home insurance won’t cover you for the risks associated with renting out your property, so it’s a good idea to take out specialist landlord insurance that will provide comprehensive cover for rental-specific events, such as accidental damage by tenants or their guests. Total Landlord has a dedicated in-house claims team of expert advisers who are on hand to help you should the worst happen.
Watch our short video below, with founder and CEO of Total Landlord, Eddie Hooker, to learn about Total Landlord’s award winning landlord insurance, and read our guide to find out how to choose the right landlord insurance for you.
