Rent guarantee insurance

Your property must be residential and in the UK. You need to have a reference for each tenant and each guarantor from a licensed referencing service before the tenancy begins. It must include:

1. A written reference from the previous managing agent or landlord
2. A written reference from an employer (or any other financial source)
3. A credit history check that includes the Enforcement of Judgments Office, County Court Judgments and bankruptcy

There also needs to be a detailed inventory of the contents and condition of the property. The inventory must include supporting photographs and the tenant must have signed it. Plus, you must keep clear and up-to-date rental records.

Once the tenant has not paid rent for 30 days and the relevant Section 21 or Section 8 notice has been issued, then you can claim.

You must inform our legal expenses cover provider DAS as soon as possible. The claims handler then will inform you within five working days whether the claim is covered or if more information is needed.

If the claim is covered, you'll be provided the details of the solicitor assigned to your case and what to expect next. Any claim reported after 90 days after the date of the rent not being paid when expected is not covered.

Examples of some of the documents we need when you claim:

• A copy of the tenancy agreement
• A schedule of how much rent is owed
• Copies of any references you have
• Any emails, faxes or letters sent to do with the dispute
• If it's applicable to the claim, then a copy of dilapidations inventory and/or schedule of dilapidations – this details breaches of the lease that are to do with the condition of a property during the tenancy or when the lease ends.
• Copy of any notices for possession – usually this will be a Section 8 or Section 21
• Confirmation of your Direct Line for Business policy schedule
• A Deposit Protection Certificate
• Proof of ownership of the property

Find out more about the eviction process.