Moving into house which has been empty for 11 months

Britannia1863

Hi All,

I'm due to move to a 3 storey house (built 2005) in a few weeks. The property would have been empty for 11 months by the time I get the keys. I know the boiler (conventional type) was serviced just as the previous tenants were vacating the property. Is there there things I need to do since it has been empty for quite a while? Letting water run for a while, what to do with the heating system etc. Any help would be much appreciated!

RelievedSheff

I would go around and check that all of the services are working and that there are no leaks from the water system.

Check that the heating and hot water are working. Run the water from the tanks and let it refill a couple of times to get the stagnant water out.

The house will want a thorough airing. Open all of the windows and get the heating on to get the air moving around the house. There may be some damp and mould patches if no air has been circulating around the property.

The house will be cold right through if no heat has been applied for 11 months. It will take time to get warmed through and get the heat into the fabric of the building again. So expect it to be colder than usual for a while.

Kfletcher

You might want to get an engineer to look at the boiler before you start running too much water. The internal seals might have been badly affected by not having been in use. This is based on something a gassafe engineer told me when I was thinking about buying a house with similar issue.

Check with the previous owner whether they did anything like drain the radiator system while it was uninhabited.

Definitely let the cold water run before you drink any of it!

FreeBear

RelievedSheff wrote: »

The house will be cold right through if no heat has been applied for 11 months. It will take time to get warmed through and get the heat into the fabric of the building again. So expect it to be colder than usual for a while.

We have had a hot summer and a mild autumn (so far). I've not had the heating on yet, and a south facing room is still around 23°C in the evening. Certainly ventilate the house and get the CH system serviced, but unless the house is way up north, there is no rush to pump the heating up.

Norman_Castle

Remember to read the meters to avoid paying for the last 11 months use or standing charges.

kazwookie

Take photos of the meter readings.


I'd also change all the main door locks, no knowing who over the years has / had keys.


Good luck

RelievedSheff

FreeBear wrote: »

We have had a hot summer and a mild autumn (so far). I've not had the heating on yet, and a south facing room is still around 23°C in the evening. Certainly ventilate the house and get the CH system serviced, but unless the house is way up north, there is no rush to pump the heating up.

We have not got the heating on either but it is surprising how cold an unused building can become even in the summer months due to a lack of use.

Sticking the heating on and opening the windows will force some air around the building to air it out, dry it out and get some warmth back into the fabric of the building.