"...and has anyone pointed out that getting insurance for possessions if you are not a house owner is vv difficult."
We've been here before, Peter. As I pointed out (probably about a year ago) and Mamy has pointed out just now, it is not difficult to obtain contents insurance as a tenant. I seem to recall providing links to two or three insurers (probably the first two or three I tried) where you could obtain a quote for just those circumstances. The risk to insurers when covering contents in a rented premises to that in owner occupied accommodation.