A tenant rents and occupies a property, with rights and duties set by the tenancy agreement and relevant law.
A tenant is someone who rents and lives in a property with the landlord’s permission. The arrangement is usually set out in a tenancy agreement.
The agreement may cover:
The tenant’s rights can depend on the type of tenancy and where the property is in the UK.
In England, most private tenancies are now assured periodic tenancies. They run on a rolling basis and cannot have a fixed end date. The current tenancy rules for landlords in England explain how these agreements work.
Different tenancy types can give tenants different rights, including rules on rent, repairs and how a tenancy may be ended. GOV.UK provides more information about private tenancy types in England.
A tenant is not always the same as a lodger. For example, someone who shares living space with their landlord may have fewer rights than a tenant who rents a separate home. The exact position depends on the agreement and the circumstances.
A tenant’s duties will depend on the tenancy agreement and relevant law.
In England, private tenants are generally expected to pay their rent, take reasonable care of the property and pay for damage caused by themselves, their family or their visitors.
They also have rights, including the right to live in a safe property that is in a reasonable state of repair. These tenant rights and responsibilities are explained by GOV.UK.
Tenants should report leaks, damage and repair issues as soon as possible. Early action can help stop a small problem from causing more damage.
A property rented to tenants may need landlord insurance rather than standard home insurance. The property is occupied by someone other than the owner, which can change the risks and cover required.
When arranging cover for a tenanted property, an insurer may ask:
The answers can affect the cover offered, the premium and the policy conditions.
The duty that applies depends on the type of policy. For a consumer insurance contract, section 2 of the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 requires the customer to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation. For a non-consumer policy, part 2 of the Insurance Act 2015 requires the customer to make a fair presentation of the risk.
Give complete and accurate information about the property and tenants.
Check the policy to see whether the insurer must be told when a tenant moves out or the property becomes empty. Cover may be restricted after a set number of days, depending on the policy. The Financial Ombudsman Service provides guidance on insurance for unoccupied properties.
Landlord insurance usually covers the building and items owned by the landlord, subject to the policy terms.
For example, landlord contents insurance may cover furniture, appliances and other items supplied with a furnished property. It does not normally cover clothes, electronics or furniture owned by the tenant.
The Association of British Insurers explains that tenants may need their own contents insurance to protect their personal belongings.
Landlords should read the policy wording and check the limits, exclusions and excesses. Depending on the insurer, cover may be available for:
Loss of rent and rent guarantee insurance are different.
Loss-of-rent cover may apply when insured damage makes the property unfit to live in. Rent guarantee insurance may cover eligible missed rent payments. Both are subject to policy limits, exclusions and conditions.
We arrange landlord insurance through a panel of insurers. Depending on the property, tenants and full details, we may be able to help arrange cover for a range of let homes.
Cover, price and acceptance depend on the insurer and policy terms. We will need clear and accurate information about the property, how it is used and who lives there.
