Unoccupied homes are becoming more common, with many properties sitting on the market waiting to be sold or due to longer periods of un-occupancy between rentals. Although a empty house can be forgotten, it must be remembered that this is still a valuable asset and it’s loss or any damage would cause the owner to spend money fixing the property. This is where unoccupied property insurance is a valuable purchase and a prudent move.
Many unoccupied property insurance providers will require certain security measure to be in place before they will consider covering your property. Firstly, the risk of fire can cause major damage quickly so limiting the chances of this must be a top priority. Property owners may feel it is a inconvenience to have post redirected however sealing the letterbox is a ‘must do’. The opportunity for someone to push or squirt something through the letter box into your unoccupied property and then light it is just too easy. Blanking plates can be purchased and are not overly expensive. It would also be good to have something solid between the plate and the letterbox to stop the flap from opening completely.
Appropriately securing the main access points to your unoccupied property is next on the list. Your front and back door must be secure and be able to withhold a attempt at forceful entry. Most unoccupied property insurance providers will require that locks on doors to be British Standard 3621 or the equivalent European Standard EN12209. It is very important to remember that rim latches (Yale type) on their own are not sufficient. The front and back door should also be fitted with 5 lever mortice deadlocks. The advantages of a deadlock, apart from being much more secure, is that they requite a key to unlock from both outside and inside the property. The advantages of having to use the key to unlock the door from the inside is because if somebody does manage to enter you property, maybe via a smashed window, they will only be able to leave via the way they have entered the property as they would not be able to unlock the door. This is especially important if your unoccupied property is furnished.
Window locks is another area of security that must not be over looked, especially is you are looking for unoccupied insurance for a furnished property. Most companies mention accessible windows but it is best to have good security on all windows in the property. Key operated is the most common form of security required which is common place with double glazing units.
Other forms of good practice to protect you unoccupied property include clearing the front and back gardens of debris to reduce the opportunity of smashed windows and cutting the grass and maintaining the property so it does not fall into disrepair and make it obvious to the passer by that the property is actually unoccupied.
If you have an unoccupied property it is best to check through the security arrangements requited in you unoccupied property insurance policy wording.