Mothballing a property over winter - what do we set heating to

Mstty

Is there any guidance out there for mothballing a property over winter.

One of the parents has decided to live aboard during the winter and we wanted to make sure the property didn't suffer any damage but also not burn lots of cash. 

This may also be relevent in the future for when energy prices are so high we might consider sharing resources in winter between families.

Spies

Set the minimum temperature to 10-12c

markin

6c with a dehumidifier, or drain all water and use no heating.

MWT

Check the home insurance, there is often a minimum temperature specified in there if the home is left vacant.

Also check how long it can be left unoccupied, there is specialist insurance available if their plans exceed their normal cover.

wrf12345

If it is not regularly checked I would drain the system and turn off the gas at the meter but also put a lamp on a timer with an led bulb so it looks like someone is there in the night. Turn the water off at the meter, too. With the free £400 credit from the govn, direct debit needs to be close to zero as it will just be the standings charges. Interesting economic question, if gas goes totally crazy is it cheaper to go abroad off season then heating the house (at least for those retired or working over the internet)? Usually insurance is ok for 60 days, sometimes 90 days but how they check how long you have been abroad is another question if you do not admit to having a passport.

Astria

It depends on where the temperature is and what the room with the lowest temperature can get to. If I see the hall thermostat to 10c then the walls in the rear lounge can still drop to 7 - 8c, so that's the lowest I'd ever go, but I'd still give the heating a daily boost if the temperature is less than 15c.

Ally_E.

House plants have become a very popular hobby since lockdown, so how do people balance that with leaving the property unoccupied or not heating it enough? 

TheGardener

Ally_E. said:

House plants have become a very popular hobby since lockdown, so how do people balance that with leaving the property unoccupied or not heating it enough? 

Donate the plants to a friend or ditch them probably.

Mstty

We will check the property every 3-4 weeks. The neighbours all have each others keys and have known each other for years so in that way it is safe.

Had not thought about draining the hot water system and leaving the heating off to be honest.

Insurance has already been adjusted to be away up to 90 days at a time maximum 180 days for the whole year. Parent will fly back for Christmas week then fly back out and this is ok for the insurance.

Section62

wrf12345 said:

Usually insurance is ok for 60 days, sometimes 90 days but how they check how long you have been abroad is another question if you do not admit to having a passport.

It isn't about being abroad, just leaving the property without anyone living/staying in it.

They don't 'check' as such, but if something happens and you need to make a claim they may ask whether people had been in the property at the time and/or whether the 'x' days empty rule had been followed.

If the response isn't truthful and the insurance company subsquently find out, then life will become very difficult for the person concerned. Cancellation of policies and/or a record of insurance fraud makes it difficult or impossible to get insurance at a reasonable price.

Northern_Wanderer

Would they ever consider house sitters? It's not for everyone I know.