HMO insurance that gives landlords peace of mind
HMO insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
A new way to insure your HMO property
HMO insurance is a specialist insurance policy designed for landlords who rent out a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). HMOs carry higher risks than standard rental properties due to multiple, unrelated tenants sharing facilities, which means standard landlord insurance often isn’t sufficient.
In partnership with some of the leading UK insurers, we’ll not only get you a competitive HMO insurance policy with comprehensive cover, but we also work hard to keep you protected year after year as your property and tenants evolve.
We compare the market for the best deal so you don’t have to.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
We only provide cover for responsible HMO property owners, so you’ll get a better deal.
World-class support
You’ll get your own UK-based human to look after you for the duration of your policy.
We use a combination of technology and a wealth of experience to give you unrivalled cover and more affordable HMO insurance prices.
With over 50 years of experience providing top-quality insurance for property owners, you can be sure we’ve got you covered.
What does HMO insurance cover?
Damage to your property
Covers damage caused by insured events such as fire, flooding, storms, or vandalism.
Uninhabitable property
If an insured event makes the property unsafe or unfit to live in, HMO insurance can compensate for loss of rental income.
If your things get stolen
This cover protects shared contents such as furniture, white goods, and appliances against damage or theft.
Legal expenses
Many HMO policies include legal cover, helping with eviction proceedings, tenancy disputes, or recovering unpaid rent.
If a visitor is injured
If a tenant or visitor is injured in a communal area and you’re found legally responsible, cover costs and compensation claims.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
What is HMO insurance?
HMO insurance protects landlords from financial losses linked to property damage, loss of rental income, and liability claims arising from a multi-tenant property.
While HMOs can deliver strong rental returns, they also come with increased responsibilities and risks. Standard landlord insurance may not provide adequate protection. Here’s why HMO insurance is essential:
- Emergency cover: Assists with urgent issues such as heating or plumbing failures in shared living spaces.
- Building insurance: Covers the structure of the property against risks like fire, flood, and subsidence.
- HMO liability insurance: Protects you if a tenant or visitor is injured in communal areas and you’re held liable.
- Loss of rent cover: Compensates for lost rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event.
- Contents insurance: Covers communal furniture and appliances supplied to tenants.
- Accidental damage cover: Protects against unintentional damage, which is more common in high-occupancy properties.
When choosing an HMO policy, it’s important to assess your specific setup. Consider the number of tenants, whether the property is licensed, and the level of cover required. Optional extras like legal expenses or accidental damage cover can offer valuable additional protection.
How much does HMO insurance cost?
The cost of HMO insurance can vary depending on several important factors. These are some of the key elements that influence your premium:
Level of cover
More comprehensive policies covering buildings, contents, liability, and loss of rent will cost more than basic building-only cover.
Value of the property
The higher the rebuild value of the property, the greater the potential risk to insurers, which can increase premiums.
Property location
Properties in high-crime areas or locations prone to flooding typically attract higher premiums than those in lower-risk areas.
Property security
Features such as fire doors, smoke alarms, emergency lighting, secure locks, and CCTV can help reduce premiums by lowering risk.
Tenant type
A higher number of occupants increases risk. Tenant types such as students or DSS tenants may result in higher premiums compared to professionals.
Your claims history
Previous claims can increase the cost of your policy, while a clean claims history may help secure more competitive rates.
HMO insurance frequently asked questions
What is an HMO and do I need specialist insurance?
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property rented out to three or more unrelated tenants who share communal facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Standard landlord insurance typically isn't sufficient for an HMO due to the increased risks of multiple tenants — so specialist HMO insurance is strongly recommended, and your mortgage lender may require it.
Do I need an HMO licence?
In most cases yes — if your property is rented to five or more people forming more than one household, a mandatory HMO licence is required from your local council. Some councils require licensing for smaller HMOs too. It's your responsibility to ensure you're licensed, and some insurers will require evidence of a valid licence before providing cover.
Is HMO insurance more expensive than standard landlord insurance?
Generally yes — HMOs carry higher risks due to multiple tenants, greater wear and tear, and more complex communal areas. However, the additional cost is well worth it given the significant gaps in cover that a standard landlord policy would leave. Our panel of insurers allows us to find the most competitive price for your specific property.
What happens if one tenant leaves and the room is empty?
A temporary vacancy in one room while others remain occupied is typically covered as normal under an HMO policy. However, if the entire property becomes unoccupied, different terms will apply. Let us know if this happens so we can make sure your cover remains valid.
Are communal areas covered?
Yes — HMO insurance specifically covers shared areas such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. This includes both the building fabric and any contents you've provided in those areas, subject to your chosen level of cover.
Can I get loss of rent cover for an HMO?
Yes — loss of rent cover can be included as an optional extra. If an insured event such as fire or flood makes the property uninhabitable, this will compensate you for lost rental income while repairs are carried out. Given that HMOs typically generate higher rental yields, this cover is particularly valuable.
Does HMO insurance cover malicious damage by tenants?
Malicious damage by tenants isn't always included in a standard policy but can usually be added as an optional extra. Given the higher turnover of tenants in HMOs, it's well worth considering. Speak to our team and we can check what's available on your policy.
Why can I trust insurd?
We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.
You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.
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