HMO Insurance
Cover student accommodation, blocks of flats, bedsits and more with Landlord HMO insurance
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HMO Insurance For Landlords
Updated 26 July 2022 - Eamonn Turley
The private rental sector has seen historic growth over recent years, and approximately 20% of all households in the UK are rental properties. To make rent affordable for more, it is now common for a rental property to have multiple tenants. This was originally the reserve of students that would happily share accommodation with fellow students to keep prices affordable. In recent years, it has become more and more popular with young professionals as they try to get a foot on the property ladder.
Apart from students and young professionals, HMO (which stands for House in Multiple Occupation) also provides affordable accommodation for migrant and low paid workers. To improve safety and reduce risks, compulsory licensing of HMO properties came into force in 2006. The initial target was properties with 3 or more stories with 5 or more people from 3 or more households. This has recently been extended to cover any property that has 5 or more occupants from 3 or more households.
Do I need Landlord HMO insurance
HMO landlord insurance is not required by law. If the property is a buy to let, the mortgage provider may stipulate that you have at the very leas builds insurance, but if you own the property outright you are not required to take out insurance.
Whilst this type of cover may not be mandatory, having a good policy could save you a significant amount in the event of a dispute that requires legal action to resolve. Without adequate cover, the landlord would have to burden all the associated costs.
What does HMO properties insurance include?
The risk associated with Landlord HMO insurance is greater than with standard landlord insurance, which will be reflected in the premium and cover offered. Similar to any type of insurance, you can pick and choose elements to create a policy that meets exactly with your requirements. Before listed the main elements of a HMO property insurance, it is important to check the policy wording for the exact inclusion and exclusions. The main features of a comprehensive HMO policy include:
HMO building insurance
Buildings cover will provide cover for a number of risks. Examples include fire and storm damage, damage by escaping water or fuel. Buildings insurance does not include damage to the building by malicious damage by the tenants, but the cover can be extended for an additional premium to include accidental and malicious damage.
Landlords HMO contents insurance
If the property has been furnished, then you may wish to include contents, including contents in communal areas within policy
Landlords HMO liability insurance
Additional cover options could include:
Is the HMO property covered when it is unoccupied?
This will depend on the insurance provider, in general a property that is left empty for 30 days or longer will not be covered under standard property insurance. In such cases, the owner will need to contact the insurance provider, but may need to take out unoccupied house insurance. Some brokers will allow the property to be vacant during student holidays if it is occupied by students and they
Examples of HMO properties
* A house that has been converted into bedsits that is let to 3 or more unrelated occupants that share bathroom, kitchen or toilet facilities.
* An entire house or flat that is let to 3 or more unrelated tenants.
If you are unsure, it is advisable to check with your local authority for further guidance on whether your property is classed as a multiple occupancy property
What is NOT covered by Landlord HMO Insurance
All insurance policies come with exclusions, lost keys in a car insurance policy. Exclusion will vary, so it is important to read and become familiar with any exclusions that apply to the policy under consideration.
Typical Exclusions Include:
Landlord HMO Insurance FAQ's
Landlord rent guarantee insurance is not included in a standard HMO policy, but can be added in or bought as a separate standalone policy, click here for a quote.
Malicious damage by tenants does not form part of a standard HMO policy, but can be included at an additional premium
Yes, the HMO landlord products are aimed at DSS, Students and other forms of multi occupancy