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What is National Insurance for landlords?
Last verified 31 October 2026
National Insurance for landlords covers whether renting out property means paying National Insurance contributions. GOV.UK's self-employed page tells people who rent out property to check whether they need to pay.
Why it matters to landlords
Class 2 and Class 4 contributions are set out for self-employed people, with Class 4 at 6% on profits over £12,570 up to £50,270 and 2% above that in 2026 to 2027. That page does not give rates for property income. If you are also self-employed, Class 4 applies to your self-employed profits.
The landlord page covers voluntary contributions: voluntary Class 2 may apply if you are gainfully employed, for example if being a landlord is your main job or you rent out more than one property, and if you are not eligible for that you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3. These can help you qualify for the State Pension or certain benefits.
Example
Mina's only income is rent from two flats, and she wants to protect her State Pension record. She reads the GOV.UK landlord page, checks whether she is gainfully employed as a landlord for voluntary Class 2, and otherwise asks HMRC about voluntary Class 3.
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