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Sealing up a letterbox
ChapelGirl
Posts: 137 Forumite
We have a house which at the moment is unoccupied pending sale. All of the insurers I have approached about insuring it make it a condition of the policy that I seal up the letterbox. It's a standard metal flap letterbox in a wooden door. I can't find anywhere any advice or instructions on HOW best to seal it up, bearing in mind I only want to do it temporarily, whilst the house is waiting to be sold. Any clues, anyone?
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Comments
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There are push plates for doors that you can screw over it or remove letter box, cut piece of wood to fit and screw in place.
And get a redirect.Stop! Think. Read the small print. Trust nothing and assume that it is your responsibility. That way it rarely goes wrong.
Actively hunting down the person who invented the imaginary tenure, "share freehold"; if you can show me one I will produce my daughter's unicorn0 -
Have they given any indication of what they require? Would expanding foam be good enough?0
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Lots of duct tape will seal the inside cheaply.
We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0 -
Mr_Pitiful wrote: »Have they given any indication of what they require? Would expanding foam be good enough?
That's the problem. None of them say how - just do it! I don't want to use anything which will be difficult to remove once the house is sold or which will damage the door. I suppose a couple of screw holes won't damage it too much, but I wanted to find out first what other people do. It can't be that uncommon a problem, I suppose.0 -
When a council house is empty here they seal up the letter box so maybe contact your council to see what they do.Lost my soulmate so life is empty.
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander0 -
propertyman wrote: »There are push plates for doors that you can screw over it or remove letter box, cut piece of wood to fit and screw in place.
And get a redirect.
If I were to alter the appearance of the outside of the door such as by removing the letter flap that might actually make the security worse, as people would guess the house was empty. I reckon it needs to be done from the inside only.0 -
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What's the reason behind the insurers request?
To stop junk mail being posted and piling up?
To stop yobbos, squirting petrol through the letter box and setting fire to the place?
If you know what the insurers are trying to avoid, it may help you to seal the letter box to suit.
Good luck...most will just advise "It says it in the unoccupancy wording" without knowing the reason why.0 -
I think it would be unreasonable for them to request you go screwing/nailing planks of wood over the letter box. Some strong cardboard and duct tape will be adequately strong enough to prevent objects from going through the letterbox (hooligans messing around with fireworks etc).
If anyone was that determined to cause damage to the property then they'll find a way regardless of the precautions you take, such as a brick through the window.We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0 -
Have you asked the insurance company what they have in mind? I wouldn't do a dodge it, bodge it and scarper job, any idiot with a knife or pair of sharp scissors can cut through duct tape or cardboard and burn the place to the ground. If they smash a window or break a metal panel there are clear signs of forced entry for forensics, if cardboard burns into a tiny bit of ash there may be no proof you ever sealed with letterbox. I'm with Propertyman.
http://www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/index.php?func=PageStory&Type=Feature&StoryId=4988
http://www.insight-direct.co.uk/shop.php?viewcategory=24
http://www.home-security-store.co.uk/product_info.php?product_id=230&cat=1Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0
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