For Britain’s landlords, the past few years have decisively changed the game. Tax reforms, higher mortgage costs and an ever-growing list of regulatory requirements - including the Renters’ Rights Bill - have made traditional buy-to-let far less economically viable than it used to be.
These pressures are leading many landlords to rethink their strategies for 2026, with some exiting the sector altogether, with around 93,000 leaving the UK market last year, or alternatively moving away from traditional rental properties and towards HMOs.
As economic pressures persist, landlords across the board face a growing risk of properties sitting empty for longer periods in 2026, which also brings risk.
Whether it’s a single-let, a family home or a larger multi-unit building, even short-term vacancies can leave properties exposed to issues such as theft, vandalism, arson and gradual disrepair - turning a temporary gap in occupancy into a far more costly problem.
When the lights go out
Empty properties send a clear signal, and not a good one. A lack of visible activity is often read as a lack of security, leaving buildings more exposed to vandalism, break-ins and fire risks.
At the same time, without regular checks and daily upkeep, small maintenance issues can spiral more quickly than we realise into expensive repairs. In fact, ONS data revealed that around 750,000 vacant buildings are vandalised each year in the UK, equivalent to more than 2,000 per day, costing millions in damage and repairs.
With many owners biding their time in a tougher market, the focus turns to what happens in the meantime. Too often, leaving empty properties unprotected is where many owners are getting caught out.
The risk of standing still
As insurance becomes a secondary concern for busy landlords, an industry wary of complex risk and reliant on outdated policies and valuations is leaving property owners exposed and creating a gap that specialist providers like Aspect have stepped in to fill.
Many landlords rely on a one-size-fits-all cover that doesn't adapt as a property changes over time. They might add space, remodel or transition from a single let to an HMO - which can increase its scale and risk profile - but the policy often is not reviewed or updated to match. This leaves many landlords underinsured, which typically goes unnoticed until a claim is made.
Complex risk needs time, specialist knowledge and careful underwriting. Yet too often insurers step back - further deepening the UK’s insurance gap. Current data indicates that just 7% of UK properties are properly insured, with an eye-opening 70% underinsured. The challenge now is how both property owners and the insurance industry can work together to close it.
For landlords, proactive risk management starts with robust, up-to-date information. Regular surveys, accurate valuations and clear risk assessments should be supported by time-stamped digital logs that create a live audit trail of a property’s condition, occupancy and security as it evolves.
By recording maintenance, inspections, refurbishments and other updates all in one place, landlords can ensure their insurance cover properly reflects the building's risk profile. Yet adoption remains low, with fewer than 10% of self-managing landlords currently using digital logging tools, even for routine maintenance.
As vacancy levels rise and short-term risks mount up, having a clear view of exposure is essential.
In 2026, AI is increasingly shaping how insurers assess risk, enabling faster, data-driven underwriting by analysing large amounts of property, portfolio and claims information to flag emerging exposures and support real-time policy reviews as conditions change.
For landlords, this has obvious advantages: cover can evolve in line with business changes already visible in digital systems, while claims handling becomes more efficient. But technology can't replace on-the-ground insight.
Site visits, manual assessments and attention to detail remain crucial if cover is to be both fair and effective. If used correctly, AI helps align how a property is being used and how it’s insured, rather than removing the need for human judgment where it counts.
Future-proofing the portfolio
Landlords should ensure their insurance and property valuations remain accurate and reflective of current conditions, with risk actively managed and clearly evidenced - particularly during periods of vacancy. This includes regular inspections, properly maintained security measures and detailed time-stamped records showing how empty properties are being monitored.
Insurance must be approached as continuous risk management rather than being an admin task to tick off the list each year. In practice, that means letting insurers know of any changes in
occupancy or use, reassessing cover and undertaking regular surveys so that risk exposure, value and insurance protection stay in sync.
As property owners review their strategy in 2026, investment in security, thorough risk assessment and the right insurance cover will help ensure properties stay protected and ready for when conditions inevitably find their footing again.
