I took out Rent Guarantee Insurance through LegalforLandlords after my tenant passed credit checks, and I was offered the “RentNow” insurance product. I paid for 12 months of coverage, thinking it would protect me in case of missed rent or eviction.
After 11.5 months, I had to serve a Section 21 notice. Around the same time, the insurance was due for renewal. When I tried to renew, I was asked, “Have circumstances changed?” I answered honestly, explaining the Section 21 notice had been served. As a result, they refused to renew the policy.
This makes me question what I paid for in the first place. When I needed the insurance most—during the eviction process—they essentially walked away. No support, no payout, nothing. It feels like they collected a year’s premium for no real service.
Now I’m going through the N5B possession claim on my own because I can’t afford a solicitor. I strongly advise landlords to think twice before using this insurance. In my experience, it offered zero protection when it really mattered.
Save your money and look elsewhere.
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Shouldnt you be able to claim under the first years policy as it was valid at the time? A renewed policy is irrelevant surely?
All insurers should be registered with the f s c a
I would write ( not call ) the insurers and ask them to honour the terms and tell them you will contact the ombudsman and report them
That usually gets them to the table
You will have to check the fine print , that is did you need to notify them of the s21 at the time of service and would that affect your policy
Worth a shot
I agree with Mark. If the rent loss occured during the first 12 months, you should have been able to claim on the first policy.
Theres been no rent loss … or has there been ?
This is about re-newing the policy where the insurer has asked if there has been any changes.
But i agree… if a s21 has been issued why has this had a direct affect on the renewal of the policy.
Again I would read the policy fine print and go from there
He stopped paying rent from 13th month. so not possible.
this then is like knowing you are going to be in a car accident, telling the insurance company and asking for cover in advance
Hi all, and thank you for the warm replies.
I’ve recommended OpenRent to at least 10 people, but I’m currently going through a very difficult situation with a tenant that has taken a serious mental toll on me—with no resolution in sight.
I wanted to share my experience to help alert other landlords so they can plan ahead. I simply don’t have the energy to fight with LegalforLandlords—it’s all been quite depressing.
After LegalforLandlords didn’t renew the insurance, I explained my situation. Despite that, Simply Business still offered me a policy—even though a Section 21 had already been served. Now, one month later, their claims line keeps getting disconnected every time I try to call. Honestly, it feels like none of the landlord insurance providers are actually helpful when it really matters.
At this point, I’m just hoping to recover possession of my property. I’m planning to submit the N5B form myself on Tuesday. Just thought I’d share in case it’s helpful to others.
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@Colin3 no it is not, do you actually understood the situation. I was not taking new policy, it was renewal.
I do understand . You want a renewal , they KNOW there will be a claim, so declined. That is within their right to do so.
I think that what your post highlights is something that many landords have been saying for some time, which is that there is a lot of “small print” with many RGI policies that can make them difficult or even impossible to make a claim. Landlords should be under no illusion that they are always fully covered by taking out such a policy and should read the detail before buying.