Rent & Legal Protection for landlords.
An optional extra for landlords who want protection for unpaid rent and the legal costs of regaining possession. It costs 3% + VAT (3.6% inc. VAT) of the rent, and it’s subject to the policy terms and the tenant passing referencing. This page explains what it’s for and what it costs. Ask us for the policy details before you decide.
Fees and the law for England checked on 14 November 2026. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
- Cost
- 3% + VAT3.6% inc. VAT, of the rent
- Optional
- Your choiceyou only pay it if you add it
- What it’s for
- Unpaid rent and legal costsof regaining possession, subject to the policy terms
- Condition
- Referencingthe tenant must pass referencing
1. What it is
Rent & Legal Protection is an optional extra you can add when we let your home. It is protection for unpaid rent and for the legal costs of regaining possession, subject to the policy terms and the tenant passing referencing.
Careful referencing comes first, and we reference every tenant before they move in. This is for the tenancy that goes wrong anyway: the rent stops, and you need the home back.
2. What it costs
It costs 3% + VAT (3.6% inc. VAT) of the rent. It’s on top of our service fee, you only pay it if you choose to add it, and it’s listed with every other charge on our fees page.
| Monthly rent | Cost for each month’s rent | Inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| £1,250 | £37.50 + VAT | £45.00 |
| £1,650 | £49.50 + VAT | £59.40 |
| £2,000 | £60.00 + VAT | £72.00 |
| £2,500 | £75.00 + VAT | £90.00 |
| £3,000 | £90.00 + VAT | £108.00 |
Examples only, worked out at 3% of the rent with VAT at 20%.
3. Why landlords ask about it now
Since 1 May 2026 landlords in England can’t serve a Section 21 notice. To get a home back you serve a Section 8 notice on Form 3A, giving one of the legal grounds, such as selling, moving in yourself or a close family member, or serious rent arrears.
The mandatory arrears ground (Ground 8) needs at least three months’ rent unpaid, or 13 weeks if rent is paid weekly or fortnightly, both when you serve the notice and at the hearing. So by the time that ground can be used, at least three months’ rent is already owed, and more can go unpaid while you wait for the hearing.
The discretionary arrears grounds still apply for smaller or persistent arrears, but there the court decides whether to order possession. Our Renters’ Rights Act guide for landlords explains the grounds and the notice periods.
4. Referencing comes first
The protection depends on the tenant passing referencing, so we can only confirm it once referencing is back. Our referencing covers credit checks, sanctions checks, right-to-rent checks, an affordability assessment, and references from the tenant’s landlord and employer.
5. Notices and court work
Under Fully Managed we prepare and serve Section 8 notices for you at no extra charge. For Let Only a Section 8 notice is £195 + VAT (£234 inc. VAT). Court work beyond the notice is quoted separately.
Rent & Legal Protection is there for the legal costs of regaining possession, subject to the policy terms.
6. What to ask before you decide
As with any policy, the detail is in the terms. Before you add it, ask us for the policy details and check:
- what has to happen before a claim can be made
- how soon after the tenancy starts the protection applies
- how long rent is paid for, and up to what amount
- what you need to do, and by when, if rent is missed
- whether anything is left out.
We’ll go through it with you in plain English.
7. How to add it
Tell us when you ask us to let your home, or raise it at your free rental valuation. Call 01727 761816 or send us a message.
Common questions
What is Rent & Legal Protection?
It’s an optional extra for landlords. It is protection for unpaid rent and for the legal costs of regaining possession, subject to the policy terms and the tenant passing referencing. Ask us for the policy details before you decide.
How much does Rent & Legal Protection cost?
It costs 3% + VAT (3.6% inc. VAT) of the rent. On a home renting for £1,650 a month, that’s £49.50 + VAT (£59.40 inc. VAT) for each month’s rent. It’s on top of our service fee and you only pay it if you choose to add it.
Do I have to take it?
No. It’s optional. Some landlords prefer to carry the risk themselves or already have their own cover. We’ll let and manage your home either way.
Is this the same as a guaranteed rent scheme?
No. In a guaranteed rent scheme a company usually rents the home from you and lets it out itself. With Rent & Legal Protection you stay the landlord, your tenant’s agreement is with you, and the protection is subject to the policy terms and the tenant passing referencing.
Does every tenant qualify?
No. It depends on the tenant passing referencing, so we can only confirm it once referencing is back. Our referencing covers credit checks, sanctions checks, right-to-rent checks, an affordability assessment, and references from the tenant’s landlord and employer.
Can I add it part-way through a tenancy?
It depends on the policy terms and on the tenant’s referencing. Ask us and we’ll check for your tenancy.
Does it replace landlord insurance?
No. Rent & Legal Protection is about unpaid rent and the legal costs of regaining possession. It isn’t buildings or contents insurance, so those stay separate.
Related guides
Want to talk it through?
Ask us for the policy details and what it would cost for your home. No obligation.