Recommendations for Unoccupied House Policy.

WIAWSNB

Sil has Probate on a late friends estate, which includes a wee hoosie. 
The estranged family are threatening a challenge to this (little chance of success), and have taken on themselves to look after the property - we are currently examining whether they are doing this correctly. 
Anyone got experience of such a policy? Recommendations? Things to consider?
Thanks.

Bigphil1474

We took out a policy with Adrian Flux. Just had to check the house every so often. We left a little book and ticked off the checks every time we went. The policy was a bit pricey really but it was the best available at the time. We made sure the water was run each time, and then switched off, heating was left on but set at 5oC, house was left secure. 

WIAWSNB

Thanks Phil. Sounds good.
Adrian Flux - I used to have them for my kits and classics!

tetrarch

The executrix has sole control of who accesses the property whilst the probate is in process.

Whether she chooses to delegate thie is entirely up to her, but in the circumstances you describe I would keep the estranged rellies as far away as possible. This would probably mean changing the locks and, as suggested above, having a third party monitor the property

Regards

Tet

WIAWSNB

tetrarch said:

The executrix has sole control of who accesses the property whilst the probate is in process.
Whether she chooses to delegate thie is entirely up to her, but in the circumstances you describe I would keep the estranged rellies as far away as possible. This would probably mean changing the locks and, as suggested above, having a third party monitor the property
Regards Tet

Thanks, yes, we understand the situation.

At the start of the probate application, she contacted the family and asked that if they have insurance in place, to remove it so she can do so - not recommended having more than one policy in place at a time. The family insisted they handle this, and sil allowed it to prevent additional friction, but made it clear her expectations. 

The family is not going to be paid from the estate for their outlay, as the subsequent delay in getting Probate - they placed a caveat on it, so added around 6 months - is all of their doing. 

So far, sil is playing it by the book, with added consideration - in direct contrast to them. Basically, she's handing them rope... 

kipsterno1

I had to regularly visit my fathers property while going through probate as a condition of the insurance.To prove I had been there I recorded my walk there and back on Strava. We used 'A Plan' insurance but I think the have since been rebranded.

tetrarch

You haven't stated who is the legatee but having the family having access to the property and its contents is potentially detrimental to the legatee's interest

These situations can get extremely bitter and there is nothing to stop a vindictive non-legatee leaving a tap open to potentially ruin a sale or diminish the house's value

As I understand it one cannot insure a house that one does not have an insurable interest in, which by your description, they don't. That would make the current insurance potentially null and void, therefore the duplicate insurance angle doesn't come into play

I don't know if you can contact the current (non) insurers and explain the situation and get ther insurance cancelled. I am sure that would be glad to take the business from her

Regards

Tet

WIAWSNB

tetrarch said:

You haven't stated who is the legatee but having the family having access to the property and its contents is potentially detrimental to the legatee's interest.
These situations can get extremely bitter and there is nothing to stop a vindictive non-legatee leaving a tap open to potentially ruin a sale or diminish the house's value
As I understand it one cannot insure a house that one does not have an insurable interest in, which by your description, they don't. That would make the current insurance potentially null and void, therefore the duplicate insurance angle doesn't come into play
I don't know if you can contact the current (non) insurers and explain the situation and get ther insurance cancelled. I am sure that would be glad to take the business from her. Regards Tet

Some good points, there.

The house is currently - apparently - being regularly checked by a local EA. That's one of the points we are having confirmed.

The family are claiming their interest, with this, so-far threatened, action. And because of this 'threat', protocol suggests that everything should pause (eg execution) whilst they are given time to sort - and we have given them a deadline.  

But, an interesting point. 

They have also been advised that, since we requested to take on the insurance right at the beginning, that if they have failed in any respect - let it lapse, not carried out required checks, allowed the house to deteriorate, etc - we will hold them liable.

We know we have the ultimate option of forcing the issue - ie arranging our own insurance to come into play at a certain date, and then giving therm that deadline, but will only do that if it's clear they have been unreliable. We are dealing with the Leg Rep, so holding them to the ropes. They have been slack - clearly breached certain protocols along the way - but we are being uber-reasonable.