Your washing machine stops mid-cycle and floods the kitchen floor. If you own your home, you know who's paying for the fix. If you rent, it's less clear. Do you call your landlord? Do you pay yourself? And is it worth having appliance cover when the property isn't yours?
The answer depends on one thing: who owns the appliance. Here's how that works in practice.
Landlord's appliances vs your own
Many rented homes come with some appliances already in place, such as an oven, a hob or a fridge freezer. Tenants often bring the rest: a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a dishwasher, or a better fridge than the one that came with the flat.
If the landlord provided the appliance, fixing it is usually their job. Check your tenancy agreement and inventory, since these normally list what's included and who looks after it. Report the fault to your landlord or letting agent in writing as soon as you can.
If you bought the appliance, it's yours to repair or replace. Your landlord isn't responsible for it, even though it sits in their property.
A lot of tenants are caught out by the grey area in between. Examples include an appliance a previous tenant left behind, a fault the landlord says you caused, or a tenancy agreement that doesn't mention appliances at all. If you're not sure, ask your landlord or agent before you book an engineer yourself.
Why the rules don't always protect you
Landlords have clear legal duties for things like heating, hot water, and the safety of gas and electrical installations. Appliances they supply also have to be safe. But the law doesn't generally require a landlord to repair or replace appliances that belong to the tenant, and "reasonable time" for a repair can feel very long when you have no fridge.
So even in a well-run tenancy, it's common for renters to:
- Own at least one or two big appliances outright
- Face repair bills of £100 or more per call-out
- Take their appliances with them from one rental to the next
That last point matters most. Your appliances move with you, and so does the risk of them breaking down.
When appliance cover makes sense for tenants
Appliance cover isn't something every renter needs. It's worth considering if:
- You own your main kitchen appliances. If the washing machine, fridge freezer and dishwasher are yours, one breakdown could cost more than a year of cover.
- Your appliances are out of warranty. Most manufacturer warranties last one or two years. Once that ends, every repair is paid for by you.
- You'd struggle with a sudden bill. A fixed monthly cost is easier to plan around than an unexpected £150 repair or a £400 replacement.
- You rely on your appliances every day. Families, shift workers and anyone without a launderette nearby will feel a breakdown quickly.
- You move fairly often. Cover that protects your appliances, rather than the property, suits the way renters live.
When you might not need it
It may not be worth it if:
- Your landlord supplied all the appliances and the tenancy agreement makes them responsible for repairs
- Your appliances are brand new and still under manufacturer warranty
- You'd rather keep money aside yourself and have the savings to cover a repair or replacement
Questions to ask before you buy
If you decide cover is right for you, check these points first:
- Which appliances are included? Look for plans that cover several appliances on one policy, rather than paying separately for each one.
- Are there limits on age or value? Some providers exclude older machines.
- What happens if it can't be repaired? Find out whether you'd get a replacement or a contribution towards one.
- How fast will an engineer come out? Response times vary between providers.
- Is there a call-out fee or excess? A low monthly price isn't much of a saving if every claim costs extra.
Tell your landlord about your cover
If you arrange cover for your own appliances, let your landlord or agent know, especially for anything plumbed or wired in. It avoids confusion later about who called the engineer, and many landlords will be glad the problem is being dealt with properly.
The bottom line
As a tenant, you don't need appliance cover for anything your landlord provides, because that's their responsibility. But for the appliances you own, you're on your own when something goes wrong. If your fridge, washing machine or dishwasher belongs to you and you'd rather not face a surprise repair bill, appliance cover is a simple, affordable way to protect yourself.
Renting shouldn't mean going without a working kitchen. With Domestic Appliance Guard appliance cover, you can protect an unlimited number of kitchen appliances on one plan, from just £3.50 a month.
Get your free appliance cover quote →
Are you a landlord? Take a look at our Landlord Cover, which keeps your rental protected and your tenants happy.
