Landlord Insurance for DSS Tenants

Having DSS tenants in your rental properties may raise questions for landlords, but with the right cover from PML, it’s a stress-free situation.

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What is Landlord Insurance for DSS Tenants?

Landlord insurance for DSS tenants – more commonly known now as the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) – is specific cover that protects the owner and property of a home rented out to those whose rent is covered with benefits received via the government. This rental payment may come directly from the tenant or from the local authority.

DSS tenants don’t always enjoy the best reputation, and this specific landlord insurance means that not only are all the areas such as accidental and malicious damage covered, but also skipped payments, rent arrears, a tenant leaving unexpectedly, or failing to leave if an eviction notice is served.

What does Landlord Insurance for DSS Tenants cover?

*Please note this is available at no extra charge if you take out a policy with MS Amlin. We have a panel of thirteen insurers, most of which offer cover for Legal Expenses.

Take a look at our Landlord Insurance for DSS Tenants in more detail

DSS landlord insurance you can rely on

As we mentioned, the DSS (Department of Social Security) is a former governmental office that has since been replaced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). However, the term DSS still applies today for private tenants who receive benefits from the government to pay their rent.

Rent from DSS tenants can be paid in different ways:

  • Directly from the tenant to you
  • Directly from the local authority to you.

While some landlords may have misgivings about entering the DSS property letting sector, at Protect My Let our range of suitable cover options means you can be a part of this without the worry of inflated premiums. When you deal with PML, you’ll still be offered DSS landlord cover solutions comparable to insurance you’d normally associate with property rentals for professionals.

In fact, our specialist team have the experience and insight to match you with all the landlord insurance solutions you require, whether that’s for a single property, an entire block of flats, or several houses located on one street.

If you’d like to know more about landlord cover for DSS tenants, simply complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your quote with you.

Key features and benefits of DSS landlord cover from PML include:
  • Buildings insurance for landlords with DSS tenants and/or contents cover, including fixtures and fittings in flats
  • Accidental damage caused by tenants
  • Property owner liability
  • Malicious damage and theft by tenants
  • Trace and access cover
  • Complete cover for buildings (fire, subsidence, storm, escape of water, flood, and vandalism)
  • Cover for different construction types
  • Terrorism cover
  • Loss of rent / alternative accommodation cover
  • Portfolio cover (one renewal date for all your rentals)
  • Landlord legal expenses cover
  • Tenancy eviction cover i.e. serving eviction notices
  • Pursuit of rent arrears
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Why choose Protect My Let?

Read our Policy Documents

Frequently asked questions

What does a being a DSS tenant mean?

Being a DSS tenant means that rent payment comes from benefits. That means a landlord’s payments may come from these benefits or from the local authority.

What is DSS housing?

DSS housing is simply if you as a landlord agree to take on a DSS tenant and payment structure, as opposed to a private or student tenant. There are landlords that don’t welcome DSS tenants for a number of reasons, but to refuse them without sound grounds, is seen as discriminatory.

Why do I need landlord insurance for DSS tenants?

You need DSS tenant landlord insurance for all the reasons you would any other tenant, and a few that are more specific. If there is a problem with benefit payments that impacts on a rent payment, or if a tenant overlooks an eviction notice, then your DSS insurance for landlords ensures that you’re not out of pocket.

Is DSS landlord insurance more expensive than other types of landlord cover?

Every landlord insurance policy is different – location and property type are just two things that will impact on cost – so until you provide more specific details to one of our expert team, we can’t speculate on an average policy cost. However, it’s PML’s job to find the find the most reasonable quote, ensuring you’re fully covered.

My tenant is working and being topped up with benefits to pay rent, is this classed as a DSS tenant?

Not necessarily. If your tenant is working more than 16 hours per week they can often be classed as a working or professional tenant rather than a DSS tenant.

The tenancy agreement is between me, the landlord, and the local council. Can you still cover me?

Yes, our policies can cover a range of different situations like this. Just give us a call to find out more.

My tenant was working but has now lost their job/can no longer pay rent and will be claiming Universal Credit/benefits. Do I need to change my policy?

In most cases you may need to change your policy at renewal. However, it’s best to let your insurer know when this change in circumstance happens so they have all the right risk information.

I have more than one property let to DSS tenants, can I put them all on one policy?

Yes, we can offer portfolio insurance as soon as you have more than one property. In fact, this saves you both time and money as you’ll only have one renewal date, you can enjoy a portfolio discount and we’ll do the hard work for you!

What about legal cover?

We can provide legal expenses for up to £100,000 at no extra cost.*

  • Limit of indemnity (per claim) £100,000
  • Legal defence
  • Recovery of rent arrears
  • Repossession of residential property
  • Property disputes
  • Property damage, nuisance, and trespass

*Please note this is available at no extra charge if you take out a policy with MS Amlin. We have a panel of thirteen insurers, most of which offer cover for legal expenses.

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