All of our content is approved by our in-house experts
What should I consider if my home is left empty for a while?
If you own a property, there could be times when it’s left empty for a while. Maybe you’re going on an extended holiday or carrying out renovations. Perhaps you're selling or you've inherited the property. Whatever the reason, there are a few things you should consider.
- How an empty house can impact your home insurance.
- What to do if your property's left unoccupied.
- Tell your home insurer as soon as you know when your property will be empty.
I have an empty property – could it affect my home insurance?
Yes, it could affect your home insurance if you don’t tell your insurer. If the property is left unoccupied for long periods, it could invalidate or restrict the cover on your home insurance or landlord insurance.
Most standard home insurance policies won't provide insurance for unoccupied properties if they’re left empty for more than 60 days in a row. Some policies may provide cover, but they might specify special conditions, like needing the heating left on in winter. Either way, you should tell your home insurer as soon as you can.
How does unoccupied home insurance work?
Here’s an example to help explain what happens with your home insurance if you’re not going to be around:
Simon is a contractor whose job often requires him to work abroad for weeks at a time. However, during his last project he was asked to stay on for another four months as the job was taking longer than first expected. Simon loves his work and he agreed to the extension without giving it much thought.
It was only when Simon was chatting to a mate that the subject of his home came up. His friend happens to work in home insurance and reminded Simon to check his documents to find out what happens if you leave your property unoccupied. Sure enough, he found he wouldn't be covered if there’d be no one staying there for six months.
Simon made the call to the insurers to let them know he was going to be away longer than planned. They offered to cover the unoccupancy for a small additional fee.
Empty house insurance
What are the risks of leaving a property unoccupied?
You probably have buildings insurance already in place for flood, fire, and vandalism. If you have a mortgage, then your mortgage lender will most likely insist on it. And that’s when you're living in the house.
If there’s no one living in your property, there’s an increased risk of unpleasant things happening. It’s these events which you’ll want to make sure your insurance covers while you’re away. Things like:
- Freezing pipes
- Electric hazards
- Burglars
- Vandals
When you go away for months at a time, insurance companies believe the risk of damage to your property increases. There's no one at the property regularly to make sure the pipes don't freeze, or the electrics don't short.
It can also become an easy target for burglars who won’t be disturbed if they break in. This can expose all the items in your home to vandalism or theft. Your property is your home, so it makes sense that you’d do what you can to keep it secure whether you’re there or not.
How to make sure your property is secure
If you're away from your home and leaving it unoccupied for many months, or like Simon you're regularly away for long periods, you may want to think about additional security. You should consider:
- Fitting doors and windows with quality locks.
- Installing an alarm system to deter burglars.
- Investing in a smart home security system or CCTV.
- Asking a trusted neighbour or friend to keep an eye on the property.
- Lighting inside and outside the house to give the appearance someone’s home.
Although prevention is better than cure, there's no substitute for making sure you have the right home insurance cover in place in case you need to make a claim.
What if the property isn't my main home?
If you want unoccupied house insurance cover for a property that’s not your main home, then you may need specialist insurance. For example, landlord insurance is quite different to standard home insurance.
Second homes and properties used as holiday rentals may not be fully covered by your usual home insurance – it’s best to check with your main home insurer to see if they can help.