Do you have to notify your home insurance company if you decide to rent your home to someone else?

Yes, since the situation has changed. Also, you want different coverage such as loss of rent. For example, if there is a fire and your tenant cannot stay at the home, they are not paying rent. By having such coverage, the insurance company provides you with compensation of the loss rent. Also, you can face action from the company by purposely not notifying them of the change.