Tenant home insurance: the obligation and the certificate
Updated on July 12, 2026 · 5 min read
A tenant renting a primary residence must be insured against risques locatifs (rental risks) and prove it to the landlord. On their side, the landlord has an interest — sometimes an obligation — in taking out PNO (non-occupant owner insurance). Here are each party’s obligations and the reflexes to have.
The tenant’s insurance obligation
A tenant renting a home as a primary residence must, at a minimum, be insured against risques locatifs (rental risks: fire, water damage, explosion). This obligation appears in the lease and is a condition for handing over the keys.
The certificate to provide each year
The tenant hands over an insurance certificate when signing the lease, then each year at the landlord’s request. Asking for and filing this certificate every year is a simple reflex that protects the landlord in case of a claim.
When there is no insurance
If the tenant remains uninsured despite a formal notice that goes unheeded, the landlord can take out insurance on the tenant’s behalf and recover the cost (marked up within a set limit) through the rent. In a furnished let, a lack of insurance can also justify termination if the lease provides for it.
The landlord’s PNO insurance
Alongside the tenant’s insurance, the landlord takes out PNO (non-occupant owner insurance), which is mandatory for a home in a co-ownership. It covers the owner’s liability and damage not otherwise covered (a vacant home, an uninsured tenant).
Frequently asked questions
- Is the tenant required to take out insurance?
- Yes, for a primary residence: they must at least cover the rental risks and provide a certificate at move-in, then each year at the landlord’s request.
- What if the tenant is not insured?
- After a formal notice that goes unheeded, the landlord can take out insurance on the tenant’s behalf and recover the cost through the rent. In a furnished let, a termination clause may also apply.
- Is PNO insurance mandatory for the landlord?
- It is mandatory for a home in a co-ownership (at least for civil liability) and strongly recommended in all cases: it covers risks not handled by the tenant’s insurance.