Addept Insurance Services has launched a legal protection product for landlords that provides cover for the legal costs resulting from the illegal transfer of a property title or a property being let or sub-let without a landlord’s express permission.

The product is available as an add-on or can be embedded in a landlord’s buildings insurance policy. Addept said schemes were already on place with managing general agents Lares Services and Modus.

Richard Finan, managing director of Addept Insurance, said: “The private rented sector is particularly vulnerable to the risk of title fraud, particularly where properties are buy-to-let, empty, mortgage free or are of high value. Illegal sub-letting is also a growing issue for the UK residential property sector where tenants can profit significantly from unauthorised sub-letting.

“Standard landlord buildings policies and traditional landlords’ legal expenses insurance do not provide protection for these kinds of risks.”