Landlords should insure their rental property against any damage. Tenants should also have insurance for their belongings, and to protect them from liability.

Speak to insurers for more details about their policies.

Landlords need insurance to cover damage

If you are a landlord, make sure your property is insured and that the cover is for a rental. Landlords are responsible for paying the premiums.

Policies can also cover things like vacancy periods or tenant damage. Check your policy to see what it covers.

Talk to your insurance company about their rules for making claims. Some insurers need the landlord to prove that thorough tenant checks have been done.

You may also choose to insure any furniture or other items that are in the agreement. Any damage to them will not be covered by the tenant’s contents insurance.

Information about buying insurance policies and the parts of a house or home that can increase its’ risk can be found on The Treasury website.

Information on property insurance – Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury(external link)

Landlords must provide insurance information in any new tenancy agreement, including whether or not the property is insured, and the excess amount of any relevant policies.

Landlords will also need to include an insurance statement informing tenants that the insurance policy for the property is available on request.

Insurance statement [PDF, 811 KB]

They also have to tell tenants if this information changes within a reasonable time.

Liability for damage

If tenants or their guests cause careless damage in a rental property, they will be liable for the cost of the damage up to four weeks’ rent or the landlord’s insurance excess, whichever is lower. 

Tenants on income-related rents will be liable for careless damage up to four weeks’ market rent or the insurance excess, whichever is lower.

Landlords will need to provide insurance information in any new tenancy agreement, and tell tenants if this information changes within a reasonable time. Landlords will also need to include a statement informing tenants that the insurance policy for the property is available on request.

Tenants should get insurance to cover belongings

If you are a tenant, we recommend that you get insurance. Your landlord’s property insurance does not cover your belongings. You may also be liable for damage caused by you or your guests.

Damage and repairs

Even if you are not on the agreement you should consider getting:

• contents insurance to cover your belongings
• personal liability insurance to protect you in certain situations.

Speak to an insurer for more about personal liability cover in a rental home.

Earthquake or flood damage

If you are looking at renting a home that has been damaged by earthquakes or floods, you need to think about a few things before making your decision. For example, if an insurer thinks it will cost too much to repair the house then it will not be insured. This could affect your contents insurance.

Properties damaged by natural disasters

Support for homeowners having difficulty with natural disaster insurance claims

The New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) supports homeowners to resolve residential property insurance claims following a natural disaster.

Support for homeowners having difficulty with natural disaster insurance claims