Having enjoyed such a long and warm summer, we’re all bracing ourselves for the onset of the colder months as thoughts turn towards Halloween and fireworks.
As temperatures drop, top of our mind is helping PLG clients to avoid issues that can all-too-often occur at this time of year, especially in empty properties where construction work might not have yet begun.
Vacant properties require careful, consistent attention to meet insurance requirements, prevent deterioration, maintain value and ensure readiness for occupancy. They can quickly deteriorate without regular care. Issues like burst pipes, mould, broken boilers and pest infestations can become expensive problems if left unattended.
And there might be a more pressing issue to deal with. Many insurers won’t cover an unoccupied property (typically over 30 days) without a specialist policy in place.
Winter is Coming
Vacant homes are particularly vulnerable in cold months – inspections are essential to protect against damage.
- Ensure heating is on low to prevent frozen pipes and condensation build-up.
- Pipework checks to monitor for cracks, leaks, or freezing risk.
- Snow and ice clearance if applicable, especially at entranceways.
- Alarm and lighting checks for security in darker months.
- Ventilation monitoring to guard against damp and mould.
Year-Round Essentials
Of course, some items require reliable, routine inspection all year long.
- Ensuring insurance policy requirements are being met with fully documented, regular inspections
- Monitoring of utilities to maintain necessary services, like security alarms
- Regular security checks and access control
- Mail collection and disposal to avoid security risks and clutter
- Window cleaning for aesthetics and maintenance
- Meter readings and utility monitoring to detect anomalies early
- Visual inspection of all rooms for signs of leaks, pests or deterioration
Why It Matters
Leaving a property unoccupied for an extended period without adequate oversight introduces physical, legal, financial and reputational risk.
Most UK home insurance policies include strict clauses around vacant properties – often requiring regular documented inspections (e.g. every 7, 14, or 30 days), especially after a property has been unoccupied for more than 30-60 consecutive days.
Regulatory and Legal Duties
Depending on the property type and ownership structure, there may be wider regulatory responsibilities:
- Health and Safety obligations for properties accessible to contractors, prospective buyers or tenants.
- Duty of care under property management agreements or trust structures.
- Council requirements where vacant property status must be reported or specific exemptions claimed.
Here Is Where PLG Can Help
We provide written reports and photographic evidence for our clients on any vacant properties that serve to satisfy insurance policy requirements and safeguard the condition of a property.
We produce a fully documented report of each inspection, which includes images. These can be delivered as and when required, even against a pre-agreed schedule of visits (e.g. monthly). The report includes a checklist of the maintenance items we have reviewed, meter readings, any compliance issues that require attention and onward actions that need management and delivery.
At PLG, we’re committed to ensuring the needs of our clients are met throughout the full property lifecycle, placing award-winning homes into the hands of our clients in the very best condition.
Regular checks and proactive maintenance are key to ensuring properties are protected from the many complications which can arise from harsh winter weather. A member of our Property Finding team is always on hand to offer advice, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if there is any way we can help to ensure unoccupied homes are managed.
