HMO Insurance For Landlords 

Updated 26 July 2022 - Eamonn Turley

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:

References 

Houses in Multiple Occupation and residential property licensing reform