Freeholder Building Insurance Renewal Checklist
What freeholders, RTM companies and residents' management companies usually review before a buildings insurance renewal — rebuild cost, occupancy, leaseholder notices and more.
Freeholder · 4 October 2026 · 7 min read
Renewal is the point when a freeholder's buildings insurance is most likely to drift out of date. Occupancy changes, commercial units change hands and rebuild costs move. This checklist sets out what freeholders commonly review in the weeks before renewal. It is general information, not advice.
Who Is This Checklist For?
It applies to anyone responsible for insuring a whole building: individual freeholders, joint freeholders, share of freehold companies, residents' management companies, RTM companies and owners of commercial or mixed-use buildings. Freeholder insurance explains the responsibility itself.
1. Check the Rebuild Cost
The buildings sum insured should reflect the cost of rebuilding, not the market value. Many freeholders commission a professional reinstatement cost assessment every few years and index-link it in between. RICS publishes guidance on reinstatement cost assessments. An out-of-date figure can lead to underinsurance, where a claim is reduced proportionately.
2. Confirm How the Building Is Used
- Number of flats and any changes since the last renewal
- Any commercial units, and what trade each is used for
- Flats let to tenants, holiday lets or left empty
- Any works planned or under way
Changes in use that are not disclosed can affect claims. Block insurance with commercial units covers mixed-use buildings.
3. Review the Lease Obligations
Most leases set out what must be insured, the perils required and how the cost is recovered through the service charge. Check the policy still matches the lease wording. The Leasehold Advisory Service publishes guidance on leaseholders' rights relating to insurance.
4. Prepare Information for Leaseholders
Leaseholders have a right to request a summary of the insurance. Having the schedule, sum insured and broker details ready makes those requests straightforward. How block insurance is paid through service charges explains the recovery process.
5. Review Claims and Building Issues
- Claims or escape-of-water incidents over the last five years
- Any cladding, fire-safety or structural issues the insurer should know about
- Fire risk assessment date for the communal areas
6. Check Liability and Additional Sections
- Property owners' liability limit
- Terrorism cover, which some leases or lenders require
- Directors' and officers' cover for RTM or management companies, where relevant
7. Leave Enough Time
Starting four to six weeks before renewal gives a specialist broker time to approach the market, particularly for mixed-use or non-standard buildings.
Making an Enquiry
Landlord Quote does not arrange cover, give advice or quote premiums. We take the details of your building and, where the enquiry matches, share them with an FCA regulated broker specialising in freeholder and block insurance, who contacts you directly. You can also read our freeholder building insurance page.
Beyond Leads Ltd T/A Landlord Quote is an FCA authorised lead generation business. We do not give advice, arrange cover or quote premiums. If your enquiry is matched, your details are shared with an FCA regulated broker who specialises in this sector.
Beyond Leads Ltd T/A Landlord Quote (FCA FRN 940006) is an FCA authorised lead generation business. We do not provide insurance advice, recommend policies, arrange cover or quote premiums. This page is general information only. If your enquiry is matched, your details are shared with an FCA authorised specialist broker who will discuss cover and pricing with you directly.