A run of extreme weather, ageing housing stock, and higher repair bills have shaped what UK landlords are claiming for in 2024–25. Using recent figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and published claims insights from specialist landlord insurers and brokers, we’ve ranked the 10 claim types landlords most commonly face today—and what tends to drive the costs.

1) Escape of water (leaks and burst pipes)

Repeatedly the #1 domestic property claim. ABI data describes escape of water as one of the most common types of domestic property damage, with insurers paying ~£1.8m per day for these losses across the UK market. That cost base has been rising as repair and labour inflation bites. ABI+1

Typical triggers: frozen pipe bursts, failed flexi-hoses, leaking appliances, overflowing toilets.

Why landlords are exposed: properties may sit empty between lets; slow leaks go unnoticed; multi-unit buildings multiply risk.

2) Weather damage (storms and flood)

Insurers paid record weather-related home claims in 2024—driven by a year of named storms and surface-water flooding—pushing overall property payouts to multi-year highs. Weather losses (storm, flood and related escape-of-water from freeze) were the worst on record the prior year and have stayed elevated. The Guardian+1

Landlord angle: communal roofs and cladding on HMOs/blocks, garden structures, and external services (fences, outbuildings) push up repair bills; tenants may need rehousing.

3) Accidental damage (by tenants/guests)

Accidental damage features prominently in insurer and consumer data sets; a Which? review notes it’s commonly claimed yet often an optional add-on (many policies don’t include it as standard), creating coverage gaps. Landlord-specific claims frequently involve flooring, worktops and water damage from mishaps. Which?+1

Tip: Check whether accidental damage (including to fixtures) is included on your landlord wording—not just contents.

4) Malicious damage (including cannabis farms)

Specialist landlord claim files show malicious damage by tenants is persistently costly; Total Landlord Insurance reports the average malicious damage claim value rose ~22% between the 2015–20 and 2019–24 periods. NRLA guidance also flags the risk and the importance of inspections and referencing to support claims. totallandlordinsurance.co.uk+1

Examples: smashed doors, holes in walls, deliberate flooding; clandestine cannabis grows causing structural & electrical damage.

5) Fire (including kitchen and electrical faults)

Fire remains among the highest-severity property perils, and a primary driver of large commercial/property losses. Elevated rebuild costs and supply-chain delays have increased average claim sizes when fires do occur. ABI

Landlord angle: underinsurance (sums insured below true rebuild value) can seriously reduce payouts after a major fire.

6) Theft/burglary

While volumes dipped during the pandemic, the value of theft claims rose ~15% in the most recent ABI data snapshot, reflecting higher replacement costs. Landlords with let-furnished properties or vacant intervals are susceptible. ABI

7) Subsidence and ground movement

Subsidence payouts hit record quarterly highs in 2024, with dry summers and clay soils implicated. Investigations, monitoring and underpinning make these claims slow and expensive. ABI

8) Property owners’ liability (slips, trips and falls)

Claims arise when a third party alleges injury or damage due to property defects (loose paving, poorly lit stairs, broken handrails). Landlord guides emphasise how liability differs from “disrepair” claims, and why appropriate limits matter. Landlords Guild England+1

9) Loss of rent & alternative accommodation (following an insured event)

After a major insured loss (e.g., fire, flood, significant leak), landlords claim for lost rental income and/or the cost of rehousing tenants. Brokers advise carrying both covers to handle different scenarios and tenancy obligations. Lockton+1

10) Legal expenses (eviction, property disputes)

Legal-expenses add-ons cover possession proceedings, tenancy breaches and certain disputes. Specialist landlord guidance ties successful claims to robust referencing, documented inspections and prompt action when issues arise. totallandlordinsurance.co.uk

What this means for landlords in 2025

• Frequency leaders: Escape of water, weather (storm/flood), accidental damage. Market-wide figures show these perils consistently at or near the top, and landlords face added frequency from vacancy gaps and multi-unit exposure. ABI+1

• Severity leaders: Fire, subsidence, malicious damage clusters (e.g., cannabis farms) and extended alternative-accommodation periods drive large losses. ABI+1

• Coverage pitfalls: Accidental damage and some tenant-caused damage aren’t always standard; Which? found many home policies exclude accidental damage unless added—landlords should verify their specific “landlord” wording too. Which?

• Claims environment: With record-high weather costs and rising repair inflation, overall property payouts have surged—one ABI update reported £4.1bn paid in just the first three quarters of the year, feeding into premium pressure. ABI

Practical prevention checklist

1. Leak defence: Fit leak-sensors and isolation valves; replace ageing flexi-hoses; lag pipes before freezes. (Escape of water) ABI

2. Weather resilience: Maintain roofs, gutters and pointing; secure fences/outbuildings; check flood risk and keep sandbags/flood boards where applicable. (Storm/flood) ABI

3. Accidental damage controls: Durable floor surfaces in high-wear areas; clear “how-to” guides for appliances; include accidental damage in cover. Which?

4. Malicious damage risk management: Robust referencing, documented inventories, 3–6-monthly inspections; ensure malicious damage by tenants is included (often an add-on/limit). totallandlordinsurance.co.uk+1

5. Fire safety: Annual EICR, PAT where relevant, smoke/heat alarms, hob-guards in HMOs; keep sums insured aligned with rebuild values to avoid underinsurance. ABI

6. Security: Approved locks, lighting, window restrictors; secure stores/void periods. (Theft) ABI

7. Ground movement vigilance: Monitor cracks; maintain trees near clay soils; notify insurer early. (Subsidence) ABI

8. Liability housekeeping: Repair trip hazards fast; maintain handrails/lighting; retain inspection logs. Landlords Guild England

9. Business-interruption planning: Carry both loss-of-rent and alternative-accommodation covers with realistic limits. Lockton+1

10. Documentation for legal-expenses claims: Keep tenancy files complete (referencing, inspections, arrears notices) to smooth claim approval. totallandlordinsurance.co.uk

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