Your landlord insurance could leave you exposed after the Renters' Rights Act unless you check this
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The Renters' Rights Act has changed the rules for landlords, but AXA says many property owners could be overlooking one crucial area. Here's what to check now.
Many landlords are focusing on the legal changes introduced by the Renters' Rights Act, but insurers say another question deserves just as much attention: would your landlord insurance still protect you if something went wrong?
The new legislation, which came into force on 1 May 2026, changes everything from how landlords regain possession of a property to rent increases and pets. But according to AXA, those changes could also have important implications for your insurance if your policy details are no longer up to date.
If you own a rental property, here's what AXA says you should check now. More detailed guidance is available through AXA's landlord advice hub.
1. Have your tenancy arrangements changed?
The Renters' Rights Act abolishes Section 21 "no-fault" evictions in England, meaning landlords now need stronger evidence when seeking possession of their property.
As a result, keeping accurate tenancy records and documentation is likely to become much more important than before.
AXA has published more information about preparing for the changes in its landlord advice hub.
2. Does your insurer have the right information?
Landlords should make sure their insurance provider has accurate information about the property, the type of tenant living there and any other relevant changes.
AXA warns that failing to keep policy information up to date or meet policy conditions could affect cover if you need to make a claim. You can find more guidance on reviewing your policy through AXA's landlord insurance advice.
3. Are you allowing pets?
One of the biggest talking points in the new legislation is that landlords can no longer operate blanket "no pets" policies. Instead, tenants have the legal right to request permission to keep a pet, and any refusal must be reasonable.
However, AXA notes that damage caused by domestic pets, including scratching, chewing, tearing or fouling, is often excluded from standard landlord insurance policies.
Before agreeing to a request, it's worth understanding exactly what your policy does and doesn't cover. AXA explains more in its landlord advice centre.
4. Could you meet the evidence requirements?
Under certain landlord insurance covers, insurers may expect landlords to carry out more thorough tenant checks before a tenancy begins.
These can include obtaining satisfactory credit references, verifying the tenant's bank account used for rent payments and retaining formal proof of identity.
Making sure these checks are completed and properly recorded could become increasingly important if problems arise later. Further guidance is available through AXA's landlord advice hub.
5. Is your level of cover still right?
The Renters' Rights Act is expected to make some possession cases more formal and potentially more expensive to resolve.
AXA believes this could result in more legal proceedings across the sector, increasing financial pressures for some landlords and potentially contributing to higher insurance premiums over time.
That's why the insurer recommends reviewing your existing cover to make sure it still reflects your circumstances. You can learn more about landlord insurance and the latest legal changes by visiting AXA's landlord advice pages.
The bottom line
The legal changes have attracted plenty of headlines, but they also provide a timely reminder to review the practical side of managing a rental property.
Checking your paperwork, understanding your responsibilities and making sure your landlord insurance still meets your needs could help avoid problems later, particularly as the new rules become established.
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