Home Insurance for Flats and Apartments (UK)

This page is aimed at people living in flats or apartments in the UK who want to understand what home insurance they may need. That could include owner-occupiers, leaseholders checking their responsibilities, or people who own a flat and let it out (though specialist landlord insurance is covered separately).

You might be a first-time buyer working out whether the buildings are already insured by your block, someone comparing contents insurance for a rented flat, or a flat owner with a share of freehold trying to understand what's needed at building level and what's covered individually.

If you're a tenant renting from a landlord, you typically only need contents insurance for your possessions. If you own the flat, the type of cover you need depends on your tenure and any existing arrangements in the building.

Living in a flat introduces considerations that don't apply to detached houses, mainly around who is responsible for insuring what. The biggest distinction is often between the building's structure (walls, roof, communal areas) and the contents or internal fixtures within your individual flat.

Leasehold flats and block insurance

If you own a leasehold flat, the freeholder or managing agent usually arranges buildings insurance for the structure and communal areas. This is often factored into your service charge. However, you should check your lease to confirm what is and isn't covered. The block policy typically covers the building's shell, but may not cover internal alterations or improvements you've made within your flat.

Freehold or share of freehold flats

If you own a freehold flat or a share of freehold, the arrangement can vary. Owners might collectively arrange buildings insurance, or each flat owner may need their own policy for their portion. Again, checking the deeds or freehold arrangement is important, as responsibilities differ.

What "buildings" means in a flat context

For a flat, "buildings" insurance typically means the structure and fixtures that form part of the building. This can include internal walls, ceilings, floors, fitted kitchens, bathrooms, and permanent fixtures. But the line between what the block policy covers and what you need to cover yourself can be unclear without checking the lease or policy documents.

Some leasehold arrangements require you to insure internal fixtures and improvements separately, even if the building's shell is covered. Insurers may offer contents policies that include "fixtures and fittings" or "tenants improvements" as an extension, which can be relevant if the block policy doesn't cover everything inside your flat.

Shared plumbing and escape of water

Flats often share plumbing and drainage systems, which means a leak in one flat can affect others. Escape of water is a common claim type in flats. Insurers may ask about the age of the plumbing or whether the building has had claims for water damage.

If you cause damage to a neighbour's flat (for example, a leak from your washing machine), your contents or buildings policy may include liability cover to help with that. Similarly, if your flat is damaged by a leak from another flat, your own policy (contents or buildings, depending on what's damaged) may cover your losses, though the building's insurer or the other flat owner's insurer may also be involved.

The cover you need for a flat depends on what's already in place at building level and what you want to protect. Most people in flats need at least contents insurance. Whether you also need buildings cover, or cover for fixtures and fittings, depends on your tenure and responsibilities.

Contents insurance for flats

Contents insurance covers your personal belongings inside the flat: furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, and other possessions. This is typically what tenants need if they're renting, and what owner-occupiers need for their belongings even if the building itself is covered by a block policy.

Some contents policies may cover items kept in communal areas, such as bikes in a shared hallway or storage room, up to a specified limit. Others may exclude communal areas or require you to declare higher-value items separately. Check the policy wording if you keep belongings outside your flat.

Buildings insurance (when required)

If you're responsible for insuring the building or the internal structure of your flat (for example, if you own a freehold flat or a share of freehold, or if your lease requires you to insure internal fixtures), buildings insurance covers the physical structure, permanent fixtures, and fittings.

This can include internal walls, ceilings, floors, fitted kitchens, bathrooms, and built-in wardrobes. The sum insured should reflect the rebuild or reinstatement cost, not the market value of the flat.

Liability and other extensions

Many home insurance policies include personal liability cover, which may help if you're legally responsible for damage or injury to others (for example, a leak that damages a neighbour's flat, or a visitor who is injured in your flat). The level of cover and what's included varies by insurer.

If you let out your flat, you may need different cover. Standard home insurance is usually for owner-occupiers only. Landlord insurance policies are designed for rental properties and may include cover for loss of rent, damage by tenants, and landlord liability. See our landlord insurance page for more on that.

Insurers assess flats differently from houses, and some providers may have more appetite for certain types of flats than others. What's asked on quote forms and how it affects pricing varies, but common factors include:

Floor level and building height: Ground floor flats may be seen as higher burglary risk due to ease of access, while upper floors may raise questions about evacuation or access for repairs. Very high-rise buildings (for example, over a certain number of storeys) may be declined by some insurers or require specialist cover, particularly following changes to building safety regulations.

Security and access: Insurers may ask about door locks (typically five-lever mortice or equivalent), whether there's a communal entry system, and if you have window locks or alarms. Security on communal doors and access to the building can also be a factor.

Tenure and freeholder details: You may be asked whether the flat is leasehold, freehold, or share of freehold, and whether a buildings policy exists at block level. Insurers may also ask about the length of the lease remaining or whether the building has a managing agent.

Construction type and age: The building's construction (brick, concrete, timber frame) and age may be underwriting factors. Purpose-built blocks, converted houses, and maisonettes may be treated differently. Non-standard construction can sometimes limit the number of insurers who will quote.

Claims history: As with any insurance, previous claims (yours or at the address) can affect pricing. Water damage claims are common in flats, so if the building or your flat has a history of leaks or flooding, this may be taken into account.

Occupancy pattern: Owner-occupied flats are generally straightforward. If the flat is rented out, you'll usually need landlord insurance. Student occupancy, short-term lets, or periods of vacancy may also affect cover options.

Before you start comparing quotes for your flat, there are a few practical steps that can help you get accurate prices and avoid gaps in cover.

Check your lease or freehold arrangement: If you own the flat, review your lease or deeds to understand what insurance responsibilities you have. Many leasehold arrangements include a buildings policy in the service charge, but you should confirm this and check what the block policy covers. If you're a tenant, your landlord should insure the building and you only need contents cover.

Find out what the block policy covers: If there is a buildings policy at block level, ask the managing agent or freeholder what it includes. Does it cover only the structure, or does it extend to internal fixtures and improvements? Are communal areas included? Understanding this helps you work out whether you need additional cover for fixtures, fittings, or improvements you've made.

Declare high-value items: Contents policies usually have single-item limits (for example, £1,500 per item). If you own jewellery, bikes, laptops, or other valuables above these limits, you may need to declare them separately or add cover for specified items.

Consider whether you need accidental damage: Most policies cover standard perils like fire, theft, and storm damage. Accidental damage (for example, spilling wine on a carpet or dropping a laptop) is often optional. Whether you add this depends on your circumstances and budget.

Check occupancy and use: If your circumstances change (for example, you start renting out the flat, or it's left empty for an extended period), you must tell your insurer. Standard home insurance usually requires the property to be your main residence and occupied regularly. For rental properties, see our landlord insurance page. For extended vacancy, see unoccupied home insurance.