Taking in a lodger does not necessarily mean your home becomes a conventional rental property. If you continue to live there as your main residence, you remain an owner-occupier, but the additional occupancy can affect how an insurer assesses the risk.
We can help homeowners find cover where a lodger forms part of the household.
Not necessarily.
Landlord insurance is generally designed for properties that are let to tenants while the owner lives elsewhere.
If you remain resident in your home and share facilities such as the kitchen, bathroom or living areas with a lodger, home insurance that accommodates lodgers may be more appropriate.
The right policy will depend on how the property is occupied, so it is important to explain the arrangement accurately when requesting a quote.
When arranging home insurance with lodgers, insurers may want to understand how the household is set up.
They may ask about:
Home insurers assess a property partly according to who lives there and how the home is used.
A lodger introduces another resident who may have their own keys, visitors and access to shared areas. This can change how an insurer assesses the risk and may result in different terms, conditions or exclusions.
For example, some policies may treat theft, malicious damage or accidental damage differently where a lodger is living at the property.
The important thing is not to assume that your existing home insurance will continue on exactly the same basis. Tell your insurer about the change and check what cover remains in place.
For more detail on disclosure, insurance implications, theft, liability and the difference between lodgers and tenants, read our guide to taking in a lodger and home insurance.
Every household is different.
We arrange cover around how your home is actually occupied rather than assuming every homeowner with a lodger presents the same circumstances.
You own and live in the property while renting out a spare room to a paying lodger.
You remain permanently resident and share facilities with the person renting a room from you.
Cover may still be possible depending on the number of occupants and how the accommodation is arranged.
Your own home contents insurance would not normally be intended to insure possessions belonging to your lodger unless this has been specifically agreed with the insurer.
Family Legal Protection Plus extends this cover limit to £50,000 and increases the range of legal disputes that you’re covered for.
Enjoy complete protection with extended emergency callout cover with up to £1,000 per callout, £1,000 Total Claims Limit/Year, Boiler & Heating System cover & Alternative Accommodation
Cover for accidental breakages or damage to your buildings e.g: putting your foot through the ceiling, or accidental breakage of glass
Yes, depending on your circumstances and the insurer’s criteria.
Some home insurers will cover properties where the homeowner remains resident and rents a room to a lodger. Others may not, which is where specialist home insurance options can be useful.
You should tell your insurer if the occupancy of your home changes.
A lodger introduces another resident into the property and this may affect the basis on which your policy was arranged. Your insurer can then confirm whether it can continue to provide cover and whether the premium or terms need to change.
Not necessarily.
If you continue to live in the property and share your home with a lodger, home insurance that accommodates lodgers may be suitable.
Landlord insurance is generally intended for properties that are let to tenants rather than occupied by the owner.
No.
A lodger normally rents a room in a property where the homeowner or resident landlord also lives and usually shares facilities such as the kitchen or bathroom.
A tenant will generally have greater exclusive use of the property or a self-contained part of it.
The distinction can affect both insurance requirements and your wider responsibilities.
It can.
Insurers take occupancy into account when assessing risk, so introducing a lodger may affect the premium or terms offered.
The impact will depend on the insurer and the individual circumstances of the property.
Not necessarily.
Some policies restrict cover for theft involving people who have been allowed access to the property, including lodgers or their visitors.
Always check the policy terms rather than assuming this type of loss will be covered.
Usually not, unless specific arrangements have been agreed with the insurer.
Your lodger may need their own contents insurance for belongings such as clothing, phones, computers and other personal possessions.
Potentially.
Insurers may have different criteria around the number of lodgers they are prepared to cover. Tell us how many people live at the property and how the accommodation is arranged so that suitable insurers can be considered.
*We may not be able to quote in all circumstances. Cover limits/restrictions and/or conditions may apply to the policy. These are clearly detailed prior to purchase, and in the policy documentation for you to determine if the cover is suitable for your needs.
Need more help? Explore our guides and related cover.
Understand how taking in a lodger can affect your home insurance, what you should tell your insurer and what else homeowners need to consider.
Cover designed for people living in shared accommodation who want to protect their own belongings.
Find out what contents insurance can cover and how to choose a suitable level of protection.
If you’re currently insured with us, you’ll find the documents for your policy in MyAccount.
Making a claim follows the same three-step process as for our other home-insurance policies.
Find your insurer’s claims contact details in your policy document or Schedule. Always have your policy number to hand, as it helps your insurer’s claims team quickly identify you and assist you without delay.
Call your insurer’s claims team as soon as the incident occurs. Provide a brief description of what happened and, if applicable, notify the Police within seven days for incidents like theft or malicious damage.
If required, complete and return the claim form along with supporting documents (receipts, photos, etc.) within 30 days. This ensures a smooth, timely processing of your claim.
