If you’re comparing quotes or approaching renewal, start here — accuracy is what protects you at claim time
Most landlord insurance problems begin with one simple issue: the paperwork doesn’t match reality
Landlord insurance isn’t just about “having a policy”. It’s about whether your policy schedule accurately reflects:
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what the property is,
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how it’s used, and
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what risk the insurer thinks they’re covering.
When those details are wrong (even unintentionally), it can create claim delays, disputes, or cover that doesn’t respond as expected.
Below are 8 schedule details landlords should sanity-check — especially if you’re getting quotes or renewing.
1) Property use: does the schedule match how the property is actually let?
This is the most common source of “it’s not covered like I thought.”
Examples of mismatches:
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A property effectively operating like a small multi-occupancy is described as a single-family let
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A property used for short-term/holiday letting is described as a standard long-term let
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A property that is partly owner-occupied is described as fully tenanted
What to do:
Check that your schedule description matches reality today — not how you intended to let it two years ago.
2) Occupancy status: are voids/unoccupied periods understood and reflected?
Policies may have conditions if the property is unoccupied for a period of time. Many landlords don’t notice this until they have a claim during a void.
What to do:
If your property is often between tenants, make sure you know how your policy treats unoccupied periods and what the key conditions are.
3) Sum insured basis: are you insuring for rebuild cost, not market value?
Buildings insurance is generally based on rebuild cost, not market value.
It’s surprisingly common for landlords to carry over a figure that “seems about right” rather than one based on a rebuild assessment.
Important:
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Landlords (or their agent) must provide correct rebuild values
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Neither NetRent nor Clear can calculate rebuild costs for you
If you want to check a rebuild figure, you can use the ABI/BCIS calculator or commission a professional assessment (NetRent offers access to a Rebuild Cost Assessment service). We can explain options, but the rebuild figure must come from you or a professional you appoint.
4) Construction type: standard vs non-standard (and what counts)
“Non-standard construction” doesn’t just mean something exotic. It can include materials or structures that differ from typical brick walls and tiled/slate roofs.
If a property is non-standard but isn’t described accurately, quotes can be misleading and claims can become more complex.
What to do:
If you’re unsure, don’t guess — check your records, ask your agent/contractor, or provide photos when requesting a quote.
5) Flats, blocks and communal responsibilities: what exactly are you insuring?
For flats, landlords often assume one policy covers everything. In reality there may be:
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freeholder/building cover in place already,
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a requirement for the landlord to insure certain elements, or
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communal responsibilities that sit in a different place than expected.
What to do:
Make sure your schedule reflects what you actually need to insure as the landlord (and what may be insured elsewhere).
6) Landlord’s fixtures, fittings and contents: what’s included?
A lot of disputes happen because landlords don’t clearly distinguish:
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building elements,
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fixtures/fittings, and
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any landlord contents (especially in furnished lets).
What to do:
If the property is furnished or has valuable landlord-provided items, ensure the schedule reflects this properly.
7) Liability limits: are they appropriate for your risk?
Property owners’ liability is one of the most important covers landlords have — and one of the least discussed.
If something happens on the premises and a third party alleges injury or loss, the level of liability cover matters.
What to do:
Check what limit you have and whether it feels proportionate to your property type and use.
8) Legal entity and “who the policyholder is”
This one is frequently overlooked and can cause issues if not correct.
Examples:
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The property is owned by a company/SPV but the policyholder is an individual
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The property is jointly owned but the policyholder details don’t reflect this
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Ownership structures changed but insurance paperwork didn’t
What to do:
Confirm the policyholder details match the ownership and the party receiving rental income/holding responsibility for the property.
Why this sanity-check matters when comparing quotes
If any of the above details are wrong, you can end up comparing apples with oranges:
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One quote might quietly assume a simpler risk
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Another might include conditions that don’t suit how you let
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A “cheap” quote can be cheap because it’s based on incomplete or inaccurate assumptions
A landlord insurance quotation is only meaningful when the inputs are accurate.
Quote Comparison
If you’re insured elsewhere, approaching renewal, or just want reassurance, here’s a simple next step:
Request a landlord insurance quotation and comparison
We’ll:
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Ask the right questions to make sure the quote reflects reality
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Explain the key differences that actually matter (not just price)
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Highlight anything in your current schedule that could cause friction later
If you decide to arrange cover through our partner broker, Clear, you’ll also have access to Clear’s in-house claims support for policies arranged through Clear.
Regulatory note
NetRent Insurance Services is a trading name of NetRent Ltd. NetRent Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Clear Insurance Management Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
This article is general information only and does not constitute advice.
Contact us
Telephone: 01352 721300
Email: insurance@netrent.co.uk
Want a quote comparison?
Call or email us and tell us your renewal date and the type of property you let — we’ll take it from there.