Landlord insurance for a leasehold flat is the one case where buying the obvious thing is usually buying the wrong thing. The building is almost always insured by the freeholder or the management company under the lease, and the premium already reaches you through the service charge. Buying buildings cover on top is paying twice for the same structure while leaving the things you do need uninsured.
What the freeholder's policy covers, and what it does not
It covers the structure, the common parts and usually the fixtures that form part of the building up to a line the lease draws. It does not cover your contents, your liability as the landlord of the flat, your loss of rent, or the cost of rehousing your tenant. Those are yours, and they are what a landlord policy for a leasehold flat should consist of.
Read the demise clause
The lease defines what you own, and leases differ. Some demise everything from the plaster inwards, some include the floorboards and the ceiling, some include the windows and some do not. That line decides whether a damaged window is the block's problem or yours, and it is worth reading once rather than discovering it after a storm.
What to buy instead
Landlord contents for carpets, curtains, white goods and any furniture. Property owners liability, because your tenant or their visitor can claim against you as their landlord whatever the block policy says. Loss of rent and alternative accommodation. Accidental and malicious damage by tenants. Optionally rent guarantee and legal expenses. Several insurers sell exactly this bundle as a flat landlord policy.
Where it goes wrong
Two common failures. One: buying full buildings cover and paying twice. Two: assuming the block policy covers your liability to your tenant, which it does not, and letting a flat with no liability cover of your own. The first wastes money and the second is the expensive one.
Questions people ask about landlord insurance leasehold flat
Do I need buildings insurance for a leasehold flat?
Usually not. The freeholder insures the structure under the lease and recovers the premium through the service charge. Check the lease before buying anything.
What do I need instead?
Landlord contents, property owners liability, loss of rent and usually accidental damage. Several insurers sell this as a flat landlord policy without a buildings section.
Who insures a broken window?
It depends on the demise clause in the lease. Some leases include the windows in the flat, some leave them with the structure.
Can I see the block's policy?
Yes. Leaseholders may request a summary of the cover and inspect the policy and supporting documents.