Landlord versus tenant, who insures what
The building is theirs, the belongings are yours, and the damage you cause is the grey zone worth insuring.
Most deposit disputes start with a broken thing and a disagreement about whose policy should pay. The split is usually simpler than the argument suggests.
| Item | Insured by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Structure, roof, windows, external doors | Landlord | Buildings policy, required by most buy to let mortgages |
| Kitchen units, bathroom suite, fitted flooring | Landlord | Fixtures and fittings on the buildings policy |
| Landlord's furniture in a furnished let | Landlord | Contents policy for landlords, not yours |
| Your furniture, clothes, electronics | You | Tenant contents cover |
| Damage you accidentally cause | You | Tenant liability cover, often required by the tenancy |
| Wear and tear from normal use | Landlord | Cannot be charged to the deposit beyond fair wear |
| Damage by your guests | You | Most liability policies exclude guest damage, so read the wording |
Who repairs what
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the landlord is responsible for the structure, exterior, installations for water, gas, electricity and heating, and sanitary fittings. You are responsible for damage you cause and for keeping the property reasonably clean. If a repair is the landlord's obligation and they delay, that is a different problem from insurance, and the deposit is not the remedy.
When the building is uninsured
A landlord without buildings cover is not your problem until a fire or flood makes it one, because your contents cover pays you and then looks to the responsible party. This is one reason to buy liability cover: it recognises that you may be that party, and it settles the question for a few pounds a month rather than at tribunal.
Renters in Scotland and Wales
Deposit protection rules differ, and in Scotland deposits must be held in an approved scheme. Liability cover still works the same way: it responds to damage you cause, whatever the tenancy regime.
Related: contents versus liability and cost.
Reviewed 29 October 2026. Information only, not financial advice.