Empty homes

Managing your empty home

If you own or are responsible for looking after an empty property e.g. while waiting for probate, you need to regularly check and maintain the property to make sure it is safe, secure and does not become a nuisance to neighbours.

In the winter, water pipes can freeze and burst, which can go unnoticed in an empty property for some considerable time and cause massive damage. In the summer, overgrown gardens can cause a nuisance to neighbours and the street scene. Foliage that overhangs onto footpaths is a particular nuisance to pedestrians and may result in enforcement action against owners.

An untidy garden and external disrepair can be indicators of an empty home and may attract unwanted attention to the property including vandalism, burglaries, squatters or fraudsters. 

Empty home checklist

If you have a property that has to be empty for an extended period, we recommend you:

• Visit the property regularly and remove accumulated post
• Repair external damage or vandalism promptly
• Keep gardens tidy - mow the lawn and trim overhanging shrubs and hedges
• Hang curtains or blinds so it looks occupied
• Leave a contact telephone number with neighbours
• Check the property is insured - many insurance policies are invalid if the property is empty for long periods
• If you are in a flood risk area, register with a flood alert service

Be aware of property fraud

As buildings are usually the most valuable assets people own they make attractive targets for fraudsters. Any property owner can become a victim of property fraud; however it becomes considerably more likely where a property is empty.

There are many different types of property fraud. They can range from a fraudster using the empty property address to obtain loans and credit cards, to them claiming ownership of an empty property to raise money from mortgaging or selling it.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent fraud or forgery in relation to your empty home:

• Make sure your property and title is registered with Land Registry. This gives you greater security of title and means that if you suffer a loss as a result of a fraud then compensation may be available.
• Be careful if you are asked to sign documents. Take professional advice if you are not sure what you have been asked to sign and what its legal effects might be.
• Make regular inspections of your property. Check that the property is not being occupied without your knowledge or used as a correspondence address for persons you do not know.
• Keep your details up-to-date with your utility providers. Fraudsters may change the utilities into their name in order to obtain ‘proof of address’ documents which may then be used to apply for credit.

Occupation is the best security

The best way to ensure your property is safe and secure while you are not using it is to keep it occupied. Occupation deters crime and keeps your property regularly maintained.

There are a number of options for getting your property back into use. These include:

• Selling the property to a new owner
• Renting the property out, either yourself or through a letting agent
• Renting the property out on a short term basis, for example, as a holiday let