How long can a house remain unoccupied?

How long can a house remain unoccupied?

In general, ‘normal’ house insurance policies don’t provide coverage if you leave your home empty for a long time. Some policies suspend coverage after more than 30 days, while others allow for 60 days.

Can you insure an unoccupied house?

Yes, absolutely, if your property is up for sale and you won’t be living there in the meantime for a period longer than your home insurance allows, an unoccupied home insurance policy is right for you. Just check your existing policy first, as you may not need additional cover, if you sell your property quickly enough.

Is unoccupied home insurance expensive?

Most standard home insurance policies only cover an empty property for 30 or 60 days, depending on the insurer. This is why unoccupied home insurance is generally more expensive than standard cover.

Can I leave my house empty for a year?

How long can you leave your house unoccupied? If you know in advance that you are going away and you have some time to prepare for leaving the home empty, then there’s no limit to how long you can leave your house unoccupied.

What do you do when you leave your house for a long time?

A Checklist to Complete If You’re Leaving Your Home for an Extended Period of Time

  1. Alert the post office to hold your mail until you return.
  2. Stage your home as if you are still there.
  3. Set an alarm.
  4. Place small valuables in a hidden place or safe.
  5. Hire someone or notify your neighbor to do the simple things.

How often should your house be checked when you are away?

Check with your provider to determine what length of vacation requires you to take extra precautions, such as somebody visiting your place on a regular basis in your absence. Different policies may require different frequency of those visits, but in general it is every 3-7 days.

Should you leave the heat on in an empty house during the winter?

You should heat your empty house. Winter temperatures can lead to problems like frozen pipes, flooding, and other water damage. You don’t have to heat it to a comfortable temperature, though. Heat isn’t free, but it’s much cheaper to keep your empty house warm than to repair serious damage later.