A survey of 2,000 UK adults by specialist landlord insurance broker Everywhen suggests everyday life changes could turn homeowners into accidental landlords, many of whom may not understand how their insurance requirements change.
Britain’s rental market includes 2.88 million unincorporated landlords who declared income in 2024/2025, and many may never have planned to let a property at all. Government research in England found that 37% of landlords originally bought their first property to live in, rather than to let.
Changes in personal or property circumstances were the main reason 64% of respondents gave for considering letting their home, while 21% cited the prospect of extra monthly income. Nearly a third (30%) would consider letting a property they no longer use, for example after moving in with a partner. Respondents aged 35 to 44 were more than twice as likely as those over 65 to say so (40% vs 18%), and the figure was highest among residents of Edinburgh (44%) and London (43%).
A further 12% would let an inherited property, while 9% would turn their home into a rental if they could not sell it. Relocating for work would lead 7% to let, and 6% would consider letting between buying a new home and selling their existing one.
Many people could enter the property market through circumstance. However, the findings suggest that accidental landlords may not understand how their insurance requirements change. Some 36% were unsure when a vacant property becomes classed as unoccupied, and nearly one in five (19%) believed a property could be left vacant for six months.
Insurers usually regard a property as unoccupied when it is either unfurnished and not ready for everyday living, or furnished but not lived in for more than 30 consecutive days. Everywhen says this gap in knowledge could leave properties vulnerable.
The gap continues once a home is let, with 20% of participants unsure what standard landlord insurance typically covers. Almost half (46%) named damage caused by tenants as their biggest concern about becoming a landlord, followed by legal disputes with tenants (16%) and major repair costs (15%). Concern about tenant damage was highest in Chelmsford (54%), Glasgow (51%) and Birmingham (50%).
“Many different circumstances can lead to someone becoming an accidental landlord,” said James Cooper, trading director at Everywhen. “Becoming a landlord is a huge responsibility, and it’s easy for unprepared first-time landlords to make mistakes.”
Everywhen set out five steps for anyone who unexpectedly becomes a landlord:
Insurer: tell the provider before the property becomes vacant, because policies can carry different conditions for unoccupied properties, and again as soon as the way the home is used changes.
Mortgage lender: speak to the lender before renting out the property, as additional permissions or changes to the mortgage arrangement may be required.
Legal responsibilities: landlord regulations change periodically, and requirements for tenant eligibility checks vary across the UK, so landlords should check the latest government guidance for their location.
Finances: letting may carry financial and tax implications, and anyone unsure how it affects their circumstances should consider professional advice.
Cover: whether the property was inherited or cannot be sold, not every policy offers the same protection, and landlord insurance can protect against a range of insured risks.
