Vacant let
property
insurance
made simple.
Specialist cover for empty rental properties, protecting buildings and liability while you prepare to re let.
What is Vacant Let Property Insurance?
Vacant let property insurance is designed for landlords whose rental property is temporarily or longer-term unoccupied.
A property might be empty between tenants, while undergoing refurbishment, while being prepared for sale or simply because finding the next suitable tenant is taking longer than expected.
When a property becomes vacant, the risks associated with it can change. Problems such as water leaks, break-ins or damage may go unnoticed for longer than they would in an occupied building, and standard landlord insurance policies can place restrictions on cover after a property has been unoccupied for a specified period.
Specialist vacant property insurance can provide cover specifically designed around the period when your rental property is empty.
When do I need Unoccupied Landlord Insurance?
You may need specialist unoccupied property insurance when your rental property is expected to remain empty beyond the period allowed by your existing landlord policy.
A gap between tenants
A previous tenant moving out unexpectedly
Waiting for a new tenancy to begin
Refurbishment or renovation
Repairs following damage
Preparing the property for sale
Waiting for a property sale to complete
Probate or estate administration
A newly purchased property awaiting its first tenant
A longer-than-expected void period
How long can a rental property be empty before I need specialist insurance?
There is no single period that applies to every landlord insurance policy.
Some policies allow a property to remain unoccupied for a limited period before cover is restricted or additional conditions apply. The exact definition of an unoccupied property and the permitted period will depend on your insurer and policy wording.
This means you should not assume that your property is fully covered simply because your existing landlord policy is still active.
If a tenant moves out or you expect the property to remain empty for an extended period, check the terms of your insurance and tell your insurer or broker about the change in occupancy.
- Check your existing policy wording
- Tell your insurer or broker early
- Confirm what cover still applies
- Arrange specialist cover where needed
Why are empty properties treated differently by insurers?
An unoccupied property can present different risks from a building with tenants living or working inside it.
When a property is occupied, problems are more likely to be noticed quickly. When nobody is regularly occupying the building, damage can remain undiscovered.
- Undetected escape of water
- Vandalism or malicious damage
- Theft or attempted theft
- Unauthorised entry
- Fire, weather damage or deterioration
What does Vacant Let Property Insurance cover?
The cover available will depend on the property, insurer and policy selected. Depending on your requirements, vacant property insurance can provide protection for several important risks.
Buildings insurance for an empty property
Vacant property buildings insurance can protect the insured structure against specified events such as fire, flood, storm and other covered damage while the property is unoccupied.
Property owners' liability
If someone is injured or their property is damaged and you are legally liable as the property owner, property owners' liability insurance can provide protection against insured claims.
Malicious damage and vandalism
Empty properties can sometimes be more vulnerable to vandalism and deliberate damage. Depending on the policy selected, malicious damage cover may be available.
Escape of water
Water damage can become particularly serious in an empty building because a leak may not be discovered immediately.
Fire, flood and storm damage
Vacant property insurance can provide protection against specified insured events while the building remains empty, subject to the cover selected.
Theft and attempted theft
Depending on the policy, cover may be available for damage resulting from theft or attempted theft. Security requirements may apply while the property is unoccupied.
Short-term Unoccupied Property Insurance
Not every vacant property needs to remain insured as unoccupied for an entire year.
A landlord may simply have a temporary gap between tenants, need several months to renovate a property or be waiting for a sale to complete.
Short-term vacant property insurance can provide cover specifically for these temporary periods.
Insurance for properties between tenants
A void period between tenancies is one of the most common reasons a landlord may temporarily have an empty property.
If that period extends beyond what your normal landlord policy permits, the cover provided by your existing insurance may change.
Tell your insurer or broker when a property becomes vacant and check what cover applies during the void period.
Unoccupied Property Insurance during renovation
A vacant rental property can provide an opportunity to carry out decorating, repairs or refurbishment before the next tenant moves in.
The nature and extent of the work can affect the insurance required, particularly where the project involves significant renovation, structural alterations or other building works.
When obtaining a quote, tell us what work is planned so that insurers can assess the property accurately.
Vacant property while waiting for a sale or during probate
Landlords sometimes decide to sell a rental property after a tenancy ends. That can leave the building empty while it is marketed, while a buyer is found and while the sale progresses.
Properties can also remain empty while an estate is being administered following the death of an owner.
When arranging cover, insurers will need information about the property, why it is vacant and what is expected to happen to it.
What conditions can apply to Vacant Property Insurance?
Because an empty building presents different risks from an occupied property, insurers may require certain precautions to be taken while it remains vacant.
These are examples rather than conditions that apply to every policy. Always check your own policy documents and comply with the requirements set by your insurer.
Failure to meet policy conditions could affect your cover or a claim.
- Regular property inspections
- Maintaining appropriate security
- Securing doors and windows
- Removing post or signs of vacancy
- Maintaining the property and grounds
- Heating or draining water systems in colder periods
- Informing the insurer about changes
- Keeping inspection records where required
How often should I inspect an unoccupied property?
Your insurance policy may require the property to be inspected at specified intervals while it remains vacant.
The required frequency depends on the insurer and policy, so check your policy documents rather than relying on a general rule.
Regular inspections can also help identify issues such as water leaks, storm damage, attempted entry or maintenance problems before they become more serious.
- Check the property regularly
- Keep doors and windows secure
- Maintain locks and security measures
- Remove accumulated post
- Keep exterior and grounds maintained
- Address maintenance issues promptly
- Protect water systems during cold weather
- Maintain required alarms or security systems
What affects the cost of Vacant Property Insurance?
The cost of insuring an unoccupied property depends on the building and the circumstances surrounding its vacancy.
- The property location, type, age and construction
- Rebuild value and previous claims
- How long the property has been empty
- How long it is expected to remain vacant
- The reason for the vacancy
- Security protections and work being carried out
What information do I need for a quote?
When arranging cover, insurers will need to understand both the property and why it is unoccupied.
- The property address, type and rebuild value
- Age, construction and condition
- When the property became vacant
- Why it is unoccupied
- How long it is expected to remain empty
- Any renovation, building work or security at the premises
What happens when tenants move back in?
Once a vacant rental property becomes occupied again, tell your insurer or broker.
Insurance designed specifically for an empty property may no longer be the most appropriate cover once tenants move in.
You may need to return to standard residential landlord insurance or arrange another policy appropriate for the new occupancy.
Keeping your insurer informed
If the property becomes commercially occupied or contains both commercial and residential tenants, a different type of landlord insurance may be required.
Keeping your insurer informed when occupancy changes helps ensure the policy reflects how the property is actually being used.
Common questions about empty rental property cover.
The insurer will need to know how long the property has been empty, why it is vacant and how long you expect the vacancy to continue.
The exact rules vary between insurers.
Check your policy and tell your insurer or broker when the property's occupancy changes.
This commonly occurs between the end of one tenancy and the beginning of another.
Short-term vacant property insurance can be available for temporary periods where a rental property is unoccupied between tenancies.
The options available depend on the property, insurer and expected length of vacancy.
The scale and nature of the renovation can affect the insurance required, particularly for significant or structural works.
The required frequency and any record-keeping requirements will be specified by the insurer, so check your policy documents carefully.
Empty properties can present additional risks because problems may remain unnoticed for longer and the building may be more vulnerable to certain types of damage.
The premium will depend on the individual property, circumstances and cover selected.
The insurance can then be reviewed and appropriate landlord cover arranged for the property's new occupancy.
Arrange Vacant Let Property Insurance with City Insurance.
A rental property can become empty for many reasons. You may be between tenants, renovating the building, waiting for a sale to complete or dealing with an unexpectedly long void period.
City Insurance can help you compare suitable vacant property insurance options from our panel of insurers and arrange cover around your property, the expected period of vacancy and your plans for the building.
Contact us today about vacant let property insurance. Call 0345 017 9795 or email info@cityinsurance.co.uk.
Opening times: Mon-Fri 08:40 to 17:00, Sat 09:00 to 12:00, Sun Closed.