Recommendations for Unoccupied Property policy, please?

WIAWSNB

Hi.

Anyone taken out such a policy? Any recommendations.

I found Adrian Flux came up as recommended, and recall them from my classic car days... But the person who needs this reports the form is pretty involved - "Height above water course" and stuff like that.

Is that typical? Any straightforward ones?

Ta.

Oops - asked before: anything to add to this? Ie, has anyone used a particular company, and was it straightforward? Thanks.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6639234/recommendations-for-unoccupied-house-policy

Robinette

I can recommend Homeprotect, which I used when insuring an unoccupied probate property before it was sold. The only thing to consider is that the cover is very basic unless you add other things you would like to be covered, such as squatters.

p00hsticks

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913007#Comment_81913007

I was going to say Homeprotect too - like @Robinette I used them for an unoccupied probate proerty. I never had to claim so can't comment on how a claim would have been handled. .

Unoccupied House Insurance | Underwritten by AXA | Homeprotect

WIAWSNB

Thanks - I'll pass that on. :-)

kipsterno1

I used A Plan insurance, that have now changed to Howden, for an empty property going through probate. Very straightforward to setup with although I had no reason to make a claim.

WIAWSNB

She had a quote from Homeprotect - £560! Lawdie. But I guess that's typical for an unoccupied hoosie.

She's pondering whether to go 'normal' insurance - I'm guessing that would be around £150 Buildings - as she has a niece who would like to use the house for a few months, but that would then entail Council Tax and stuff. So, sums being done :-)

WIAWSNB

Oookkkaaaayyy…

CT is zero for the first 6 months after probate, and 100% after that (and seemingly double after a year…)

Probate was granted 5 months ago, so only one month of zero left. So, 100% CT from one month onwards. Unoccupied insurance quote is £560.

So, to have the house empty would mean 100% CT + £52pm insurance.

Her niece will be 'camping' there on occasion - this is ok with the insurance policy which allows non-regular overnighters.

Alternatively, niece signs up as resident for CT purposes, and insurance is then for normal occupied domestic. 25% cheaper CT, and insurance - I'm guessing - will be in the £170pa ballpark, so less than £20pm.

Seems a no-brainer? Have I missed anything?

(Not trying to pull a fast one - overnight stays will be determined by work, and likely to be something like an average of 3-4 nights per month. This will only continue until the property is sold, and it'll be marketed asap.)

Thoughts? Thanks.

Bigphil1474

We used Adrian Flux on my dads house, it wasn't a complicated application from memory and only about £20 a month - this was in 2023.

I think the dodgy approach you are suggesting is exactly that. There's likely to be potential complications. Obviously you are trying to pull a fast one, but I can see the attraction. Personally , I'd do it by the book and let the estate worry about the bills, but each to their own. Would niece being registered there affect their own property?

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915158#Comment_81915158

Thanks.

The unoccupied quote was £560. That ain't the main reason for going for 'occupied', tho', and as you say, the estate will pick up the bill in any case.

I'll know today if the niece wants to use the house for quick access to her job for the next whatever months, and if she does, it'll be done legitimately - CT and all that jazz.

I don't believe it is 'dodgy', but a legitimate alternative, and above board*. It'll also be better for the house to be lived in.

*Unless someone can come up with a valid point I've missed.

Albermarle

You would need to read the insurance providers T's & C's very carefully. Also when you apply for the insurance, there maybe questions about ( IIRC) whether the house is occupied in the daytime, or sometimes unoccupied for more than 48 hours, or questions along those lines.

So although the house will be technically occupied, the fact there is no-one there most of the time, may well bump up the premium.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915555#Comment_81915555

Thanks. All sorted, and all above board. Even allows for up to 30 days before initial occupation.