Gas and water in unoccupied property

jcuurthht

I am currently in possession of my late mother's property and it will remain empty until sold in a few months (hopefully).

I spoke with the home insurance and the policy is now in my name. The underwriter requires the heating system is drained which I have done, and the property is checked weekly internally and externally.

They didn't say anything about gas and water, and I only just considered it myself. There is a gas hob in the property. Should the gas to the property also be turned off/disconnected/disabled?

Also should the water be turned off in the property, or from the outside, or perhaps even by the supplier?

Thanks.

travis-powers

Personally I would have left heating on low to protect against freezing pipes however as they have asked you to drain system it would be a idea to turn water off at stopcock, I even do this when my house is empty for a couple of weeks!

jcuurthht

travis-powers said:

Personally I would have left heating on low to protect against freezing pipes however as they have asked you to drain system it would be a idea to turn water off at stopcock, I even do this when my house is empty for a couple of weeks!

They gave me the option of leaving the heating on at 15c or above, but the boiler had an error and I thought it was easier to drain than to get someone round to look at that.  Just another stress I don't need at the moment.

I don't know the house so well,  but there is a tap in the kitchen that stops all the water in the house. It even has an electric switch to turn off the water which I suppose is for emergencies and is connected to a electric driven valve.

travis-powers

 That would be a surestop!
 I would use the stopcock in the cupboard just to be on the safe side.

basill

Southern water cancelled the small amount owing after my mother died, nothing to pay on the empty house during the administration of her estate.  Give your water board a call.
We were asked to keep the heating on above 15 degrees to prevent frozen pipes.

jcuurthht

travis-powers said:

 That would be a surestop!
 I would use the stopcock in the cupboard just to be on the safe side.

Yes that's right,  surestop.

FreeBear

Turn the gas, water, and electrics off at the respective meters.

Open the cold water taps briefly in the bathroom & kitchen to relieve any pressure in the pipes.

Having the heating on at a low setting would have prevented condensation & damp forming. To limit a buildup of a musty smell, I'd recommend opening a few windows and airing the place out when you visit each week - Don't forget to shut the windows again when you leave.

GDB2222

Is there a cold water tank in the loft? Or a hot water cylinder?

jcuurthht

GDB2222 said:

Is there a cold water tank in the loft? Or a hot water cylinder?

No the hot water tank was replaced when the boiler was installed many years ago. There is no cold water tank in the property.

Belenus

I am sorry for your loss. It must be a sad time for you. 

Would a small electric heater with a thermostat, an oil filled radiator perhaps, in the hall or a downstairs room be a good idea?

Set the thermostat to a frost protection setting so that it only comes on when the house temperature is below say 6 degrees.

Make sure it has tip over protection and is located so that it cannot easily fall over and is not near a wall or anything flammable such as curtains or furniture.

Check with the insurance company that this is allowed.

That will of course require the electricity to be left on. The electricity cost should be low.

Is there a neighbour who could check on the property daily or regularly for you, perhaps someone your mother was friendly with?

dimbo61

So your hoping to sell the property ?
Once the property is on the market you need to get an EPC done £50/75
Then you need an Estate agents to market the property and show buyers around ( do viewings )
Now viewers like to inspect a property so it helps if the lights work and they can see.
Same with the central heating ! Nothing worse than walking round a cold house.
Once an offer has been made the solicitors Now ask for a Gas Safe Certificate £60/75 and an EICR report £20/250
Now you don't need an GSC or EICR to sell a property but doing them proves the Gas heating is safe and the Electrics are safe.
This gives the buyers less room to try and reduce the price.
This is the property you can see with your eyes the size of the rooms/garden etc and condition of the bathroom/kitchen /roof etc.
Heating works, Electrics are safe £XXX,XXX is the price