Rent Protection for Landlords: Why Income Cover Matters Now

Rent arrears have always been one of the biggest practical risks for landlords. What has changed is the route to resolving them.

With the first phase of the Renters' Rights Act now in force, Section 21 no-fault eviction is no longer available for private landlords in England. Landlords must rely on the relevant possession grounds and keep stronger evidence when a tenancy goes wrong.

That does not mean landlords are without options. It does mean that income protection, rent collection discipline, and a clear legal process matter more than ever.

What Rent Protection Is Designed to Do

As part of our managed service, Enfields can offer rent protection including legal expenses support. The service is designed to provide reassurance if a tenant defaults and rental income stops coming in.

Benefits include:

Up to £3,750 of monthly rental income cover
A maximum claim of 15 months' rental income
Eviction costs and legal expenses support
A 24/7 legal expenses helpline
Vacant possession cover up to 75% of the rental amount for a maximum of three months

For landlords who rely on rental income to cover mortgages, maintenance, tax, or wider portfolio costs, that support can make a material difference.

Why It Matters After Section 21

The government guidance is clear: landlords can no longer use the Section 21 process and must have a legal reason to evict a tenant. The implementation roadmap also confirms that core tenancy reform and revised possession routes began on 1 May 2026.

In practice, this puts more weight on:

Correct notices
Clean rent ledgers
Evidence of missed payments
A consistent arrears process
Professional handling of possession routes

Rent protection does not replace good management. It works best alongside it.

What Is Not Protected

Like any protection product, exclusions apply. The headline exclusions include:

Existing rental arrears
Claims that did not occur during the protected period
Claims not notified within 90 days of the first missed payment

We will explain the full terms before you make a decision, including how the service works through Enfields as the policyholder.

Available Through Our Managed Service

Because Enfields collects rental payments for managed properties, we hold the insurable interest needed to purchase the product. While the landlord may be the beneficiary for legal purposes, Enfields is the policyholder and the policy obligations relate to us.

If a tenant falls into arrears and continues to default, we seek to obtain vacant possession and maintain rental payments in accordance with the service terms.

You can learn more about the service on our rent protection page, or speak with our landlord team to discuss whether it is suitable for your property.

For the latest official position on the reforms, see GOV.UK's Renters' Rights Act overview for landlords and implementation roadmap.