HMO Insurance

Protect your property with HMO Landlord Insurance

  • Compare HMO & Student Landlord Insurance

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HMO Insurance

Compare HMO Insurance – Save Time and Money

Finding the right House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you manage one property or a growing portfolio, our comparison tool makes it easy to find the right cover at the best price. Compare quotes from top UK providers, tailor policies to your needs and secure reliable protection for your tenants and investment — all in one place. Fast, simple, and cost-effective.

Compare HMO Insurance Quotes

We know how difficult comparing policies can be. That’s why our trained team are here to help you find dedicated brokers who want to quote you.

Our service is free and impartial with no obligation to buy.

HMO Insurance

What our Comparison Expert Says

‘HMO style properties are becoming ever more popular as people look to reduce the costs of living. It is important though to appreciate the additional risks of multiple, unrelated people all living in a shared home. Our brokers will help explain and compare HMO polices quickly and easily.’

‘Consulting your insurance provider is crucial to understand the specific features, benefits, and cover that different providers offer.’

- Michael Tribe

How our process works

We’ve worked hard to refine our process and keep it as quick, easy and simple as possible for our customers.

Complete Our Quick Quote Form

Provide us with a small amount of information on our quick and easy form. If you don’t want to fill out our form, simply give us a call instead and 1 of our agents will do it for you!

Specialist Brokers Are Compared

We look at your individual needs and find you brokers who can save you the most and offer you the best value for money.

You Receive HMO Insurance Quotes

You’ll receive multiple quotes tailored specifically to your own insurance needs.

You Save Money

Once you have all the quotes you’d like, you pick the right policy for you at the best price.

What is HMO Insurance?

HMO Insurance, an acronym for House in Multiple Occupation Insurance, is a type of insurance policy designed specifically for who own HMO properties.

HMO policies typically provide cover for a range of risks associated with this type of rental property, such as damage to the property, loss of rental income, and liability for injuries or damages that occur on the property.

HMO insurance may also provide cover for legal expenses in the event of a dispute with a tenant, or for the costs of complying with local HMO regulations.

Standard landlord insurance policies may not provide adequate coverage for HMO properties, as they have different risk factors and regulatory requirements. While the terms may vary, HMO insurance largely parallels a standard landlord insurance policy in terms of cover, including property owners’ liability and risks associated with tenants.

What Does HMO Insurance Cover?

There is some flexibility to customise your HMO insurance policy by combining various types of insurance, much like other types of landlord policies. The most significant features of HMO insurance include:

What is Covered

  • Buildings insurance – covers damage to the structure of the property (e.g., walls, roof, floors)

  • Landlord liability insurance – protects you if a tenant or visitor is injured and you’re found legally responsible

  • Contents insurance (for landlord-owned items) – covers furniture, appliances, carpets, etc., if included in the rental

  • Loss of rent – compensates for rental income loss due to an insured event (e.g., fire or flood)

  • Alternative accommodation costs – if tenants need rehousing after a covered event

  • Malicious damage by tenants – if selected, covers intentional damage by tenants

  • Accidental damage – optional cover for unintended damage (e.g., spilled wine on carpet)

  • Legal expenses – helps cover legal costs for eviction, disputes, or recovering rent arrears

  • Employers’ liability insurance – if you employ staff (e.g., cleaners or maintenance workers)

What in NOT Covered

  • Wear and tear – natural ageing or deterioration of the property (e.g., faded paint, old plumbing)

  • Unoccupied property risks – unless declared, long vacancies can invalidate the policy

  • Tenant contents – tenants must insure their own belongings

  • Illegal activities – damages or liability arising from illegal use of the property

  • Poor maintenance or negligence – issues caused by failing to keep the property in good condition

  • Pest infestations – usually excluded unless specific cover is added

  • Damage from pets – unless specifically included in the policy

  • Flooding in high-risk areas – may be excluded or require specialist cover

  • Loss of rent due to tenant default (non-payment) – usually only covered with rent guarantee insurance (an add-on)

Who Needs HMO Insurance?

You need HMO insurance if you:

  1. Own and rent out an HMO property:
    • Your property is rented to three or more tenants forming more than one household, and
    • The tenants share facilities like a kitchen or bathroom.
    • This includes student houses, bedsits, or shared flats.
  2. Have a licensed HMO:
    • If your property meets the criteria for an HMO, you may need to legally register it with the local council.
    • Some councils also require additional or selective licensing, depending on the area.
  3. Let a property with high tenant turnover or individual tenancies:
    • Even if your property isn’t officially an HMO, if it’s rented to different people on separate tenancy agreements, insurers may treat it as one.

HMO Legal Requirements

As an HMO owner, it’s essential to comply with various legal requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of your tenants. Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines, penalties and even prosecution.

HMO Licensing

In the UK, HMOs with five or more occupants from two or more households require a mandatory licence from the local authority. This licence ensures that the property meets minimum safety standards and is managed properly. To obtain an HMO licence, you’ll need to provide documentation, including:

  • Proof of ownership or tenancy agreement
  • Gas safety certificate
  • Electrical safety certificate
  • Fire risk assessment
  • Proof of adequate waste disposal

The licence is typically valid for five years, after which you’ll need to reapply.

HMO Fire Safety and Smoke Alarms

HMOs are required to have working smoke alarms on every floor, and these must be tested regularly. You’ll also need to ensure that your property meets the necessary fire safety standards, including:

  • A fire risk assessment
  • A fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Emergency escape routes

Failure to comply with fire safety regulations can result in serious consequences, including fines and prosecution.

HMO Room Sizes

As of October 2018, HMO landlords are required to adhere to strict minimum room sizes.

The minimum room size for a single person is 6.51 square meters, and for two people, it’s 10.22 square meters. You’ll need to ensure that each room in your HMO meets these minimum size requirements.

Fitness for Human Habitation

HMOs must be “fit for human habitation,” meaning they must be safe and free from hazards that could cause damage to health or quality of living. This includes ensuring that the property is:

  • Free from damp and mould
  • Well-ventilated
  • Well-maintained
  • Free from hazards such as faulty electrical wiring or broken furniture

HMO Safety Requirements

As an HMO landlord, you’re responsible for ensuring that your property meets various safety requirements, including:

  • Annual gas safety checks
  • Regular electrical safety checks
  • Fire safety checks
  • Ensuring that all furniture and appliances are safe and well-maintained

Failure to comply with these safety requirements can result in serious consequences, including fines and prosecution.

By complying with these HMO legal requirements, you can ensure that your property is safe and well-maintained, and that you’re providing a good standard of living for your tenants.

Frequently Asked Questions

HMO stands for “House in Multiple Occupation.” It refers to a type of rental property where at least three tenants who are not from the same household live in the same property, and share common areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

HMOs can be popular among students, professionals, and other groups who may be looking for affordable housing options.

In the context of landlord insurance, it’s important to note that HMO properties may have different insurance requirements than other rental properties.

Landlords who own HMOs may need to obtain specialised insurance policies that provide coverage for the unique risks associated with this type of property, such as increased liability and potential damage to shared areas.

It’s a good idea for landlords to work with an insurance broker who has experience in insuring HMO properties to ensure that they have the appropriate coverage.

If you own a rental property that is classified as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you may need HMO insurance even if you already have landlord insurance.

Landlord insurance is a general term that refers to insurance policies that are designed to protect rental properties and landlords from risk.

HMO insurance is a specific type of landlord insurance that is tailored to meet the unique risks and liabilities associated with HMO properties.

HMO properties often have different insurance requirements than other types of rental properties. For example, HMO properties have shared living spaces and multiple tenants, which can increase the risk of property damage, loss of rental income, and liability for injuries or damages that occur on the property. HMO insurance can help protect landlords from financial losses associated with these risks.

The cost of HMO insurance can vary widely depending on a number of factors such as the location, size, and age of your property, the number of tenants, the level of coverage you need, and the insurance provider you choose.

Typically, HMO insurance is more expensive than standard landlord insurance because of the increased risk associated with renting out a property to multiple tenants.

To get a more accurate idea of how much HMO insurance will cost for your specific property, it’s best to compare quotes for HMO insurance from several insurance providers.

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