Can I Insure a Partially Empty Block of Flats in the UK?
If you own a block of flats with vacant units, you might be wondering whether standard property insurance will cover you. In the UK, insuring a partially empty block of flats is possible, but there are important factors to consider.
Why Does Vacancy Affect Insurance?
Empty properties pose higher risks, including:
- Security concerns – Unoccupied units are more vulnerable to vandalism, break-ins, and squatting.
- Maintenance issues – Leaks, dampness, or structural problems may go unnoticed.
- Fire risks – An unoccupied space can become a target for arson or suffer unnoticed electrical faults.
Because of these risks, many standard building insurance policies may not fully cover an unoccupied flat for extended periods, typically beyond 30-60 days.
What Type of Insurance Do You Need?
If some of the flats in your block are empty, you should consider:
- Unoccupied Property Insurance – Covers individual vacant flats within the block against risks like fire, flooding, and vandalism.
- Block of Flats Insurance with Unoccupied Cover – A tailored policy that protects both occupied and vacant flats within the same building.
- Loss of Rent Cover – If a flat becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event, this can help compensate for lost rental income.
Ways to Reduce Insurance Costs
- Improve security – CCTV, alarms, and secure entry points can lower risk.
- Regular inspections – Some insurers require vacant units to be checked every 7–14 days.
- Utilities maintenance – Keeping heating on low in winter can prevent burst pipes.
So yes, you can insure a partially empty block of flats in the UK, but you may need specialist cover. If you’re unsure, consult a broker or insurer experienced in property management to ensure you’re fully protected.
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
We have over 40 years experience as Residential and Commercial Insurance Brokers. We find the right policy to suit your needs and understand the risks that a property owner can face in the course of ownership. We work closely with our Insurers to get the best rates and our experience and excellent relationships with them mean that we can provide cover for even the most difficult to place risks.
Whether you have an adverse claims history, a high value property or a large portfolio of properties, we can source suitable cover for you. Whatever your requirements, we can tailor a specialist property insurance policy to suit your exact needs and provide you with a range of quotes to choose from. Established in 1976, we are not a call centre but a specialist insurance broker with a traditional office mentality, where the client comes first.
Looking for a quote now? Give us a call on 0800 085 3761 or complete one of our quote request forms.
We are also authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and you can view our registration here.
Get In Touch:
[contact-form-7 id="12585" title="New Callback"]We accept most payment types including:
Robert Fisher is a company director of the Property Insurance Centre, who specialise in Business and Property Insurance, serving clients throughout the United Kingdom. His expertise and career in insurance spans almost twenty years.
Robert’s background is in Building Surveying, which he studied at Heriot-Watt University, where he was awarded a BSc (Hons) degree. Much of his educational background is in Building Structural Safety from an engineering perspective.
The knowledge that Robert gained at undergraduate level has lent itself well, particularly as it has enabled him to evaluate the risks associated with certain buildings. This means he knows how best to place these risks and ultimately insure the properties against such risks.
His in-depth knowledge of various methods of construction has enabled him to easily identify which insurer’s underwriting criteria would best fit each client’s needs and provide the correct levels of cover.
Additionally, Robert is responsible for training the team and ensuring that they are always kept up to date with the latest industry developments. This is an area that he is naturally drawn to because of his inquisitive mind, diligence and passion for passing on knowledge to others.
He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and qualified to Level 3 with the CII.
As part of the Level 3 certification, Robert has undertaken modules in Insurance, Legal & Regulatory (IF1), Insurance Claims Handling (IF4) and Insurance Household Products (IF6).
As a condition of CII membership, Robert continues his professional development by keeping abreast of the latest industry developments.
Contents
- 1 Can I Insure a Partially Empty Block of Flats in the UK?
- 2 Why Does Vacancy Affect Insurance?
- 3
- 4 Insurance under one roof
- 5 We are specialists in many types of insurance
- 6 What Type of Insurance Do You Need?
- 7 Ways to Reduce Insurance Costs
- 8 Block of Flats
- 9 Unoccupied
- 10 Home Insurance
- 11 Residential Landlord
- 12 Land Liability
- 13 Commercial Property
- 14 Lockup Garage
- 15 Restaurant
- 16 Takeaway
- 17 Classic Car
- 18 Mixed Use
- 19 Tradesmen
- 20 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 21 Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
- 22 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 23 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 24 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 25 Competitive Premiums
- 26 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 27 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 28 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 29 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 30 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 31 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 32 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 33 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 34 Competitive Premiums
- 35 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 36 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 37 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 38 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 39 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 40 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 41 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 42 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 43 Competitive Premiums
- 44 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 45 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 46 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 47 Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
- 48 Get In Touch:
- 49 We accept most payment types including:
- 50 UK Call Handlers & Dedicated New Business Team
- 51 Call Us on 0800 085 3761
- 52 Robert Fisher
