Unoccupied Second House

moonpenny

Can anyone help with this problem?

I recently inherited a house a couple of streets away. It is in a bad state and needs a complete refit. I intend selling "as is" the moment probate comes through.

My problem - the water has been kept on in "void" hence no bill as I am not using the water, except a little I've used for cleaning which the water board have waived. However, have just been informed they are going to cut the water off in next week.

If I don't sell quickly, I will want to turn the heating on (over winter period) to keep it ticking over and thought I needed the water switched on for that

Can anyone tell me if I do, or is it a circular thing where heating uses same water that is already there in the system? It is a Combination (Gas) Boiler.

Cardew

You should be OK as the CH water is in a closed loop.

As long as your water tank in the loft has water it shouldn't be a problem.

moonpenny

Thanks Cardew

I didn't want another bill on top of my own. One question though? Thought Combination Boilers didn't have a tank?

deanos

Who supplies your water ?

moonpenny

SevernTrent.

I phoned them this morning as they have given me 5 days to get in touch. I informed them in Feb when the house became unoccupied and as it was going through probate they put the new bill for this year into "void" which meant that up to now I havn't had to pay anything.

The Council Tax Bill is "frozen" at the moment as the house is uninhabitable, but on condition I keep things ticking over with heating etc in winter. It's just so the house doesn't fall into more disrepair.

Also, same sort of conditions for the ins I am paying.

I have kept the Elec and Gas on as I only live a street away and I can check up on house regularly.

deanos

Its just probably a standard letter they send out to properties down as unoccupied incase they are occupied, it makes the people phone up or get in touch as they think they will be cut off

We have similar letters but never cut people off.

Cardew

moonpenny wrote: »

Thanks Cardew

I didn't want another bill on top of my own. One question though? Thought Combination Boilers didn't have a tank?

Combi boilers don't have a tank and they heat the hot water for the taps by heating the mains cold water, so you obviously cant have Hot water.

However the Central Heating water is in a separate closed loop(black, oily and often treated with chemicals) and is just circulated.

moonpenny

Thank You Cardew and Deanos,

You have been really helpful. One less thing to worry about!!!!