Landlord Contents Insurance UK 2026: Furnished Let Cover Explained

Landlord contents insurance covers the landlord's belongings inside a rental property — furniture, white goods, carpets, curtains, and fitted appliances. It is distinct from buildings insurance (which covers the structure) and from rent guarantee insurance (which covers unpaid rent). For furnished-let landlords, it is one of the most financially significant insurance products in their portfolio.

What landlord contents insurance covers

• Furniture, beds, sofas, wardrobes, and dining furniture provided by the landlord
• White goods: washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, and tumble dryers
• Fitted carpets (classified as contents, not buildings, for insurance purposes)
• Curtains, blinds, and soft furnishings belonging to the landlord
• Malicious damage by tenants (where this extension is included in the policy)
• Accidental damage by tenants (where this optional extension is purchased)

The malicious damage by tenants clause

Malicious damage cover is the most critical clause in a landlord contents policy. It covers intentional damage by the tenant, as opposed to accidental damage (unintentional) or wear and tear. Key points:

• Many policies sell malicious damage as an optional add-on, not as a standard inclusion, check your schedule carefully
• Insurers require evidence of intent, not just damage. A police report, witness statement, or tenant admission significantly strengthens a claim
• Unexplained damage without evidence of malicious intent may be classified by the insurer as accidental, which requires a separate accidental damage extension
• Excess levels on malicious damage claims are typically higher (£250-£1,000) than standard claims, making smaller claims economically marginal
• Claims for damage also covered by the deposit should go through the deposit scheme first, claim only the balance from insurance

What landlord contents insurance does NOT cover

• The tenant's own belongings — tenants need their own contents insurance
• General wear and tear — gradual deterioration of carpets, upholstery, or appliances over a tenancy
• Pre-existing damage — document the property condition with a professional inventory before every tenancy
• Unoccupied property for more than 30-60 days — most policies restrict cover during void periods; check your vacancy clause
• Commercial use by the tenant — working from home occasionally is usually acceptable; running a business from home may not be

Furnished vs unfurnished: when contents insurance matters most

Policy comparison checklist

1. Is malicious damage by tenants included as standard or an optional add-on?
2. Is accidental damage by tenants available as an extension?
3. What is the sum insured and on what basis: new-for-old (preferred) or indemnity (market value, less favourable)?
4. What is the excess per claim and is it higher for malicious damage claims?
5. Are fitted carpets explicitly listed as contents in the policy wording?
6. What is the vacancy clause — how many consecutive days of empty property are permitted?
7. Is theft by the tenant covered, and does it require forced entry evidence?

Deposit and insurance: using them in the right order

When a tenant causes damage and leaves, you typically have both a deposit deduction route and a contents insurance claim available. Use them in this order:

1. Claim deposit deductions first, through the prescribed deposit scheme dispute process if the tenant disputes. You have a strict 14-day window after tenancy end to register the deduction.
2. If damage exceeds the deposit, claim the excess from your contents insurer. Provide evidence of the deposit claim outcome to the insurer.
3. Do not double-claim the same damage from both the deposit and the insurer. Insurers have subrogation rights and can recover any amount duplicated in a deposit award.