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Original poster

Second home owners... what are you doing about your property?

275 replies

DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:03

We haven't visited since September due to restrictions.

Becoming a little concerned as we've never left a property over winter and not sure what we'll go back to. There's no heating on, and although pipes freezing is unlikely I just worry about damp etc

Any experience anyone?

I know this is a privileged problem to have and I have no intention of starting a debate on second homes. Just empty ones

Thanks

OP posts:
dressedupinyou · 16/01/2021 17:10

You might not want a debate about it but you can't control what people comment.
Do you not feel shit that you have a property being left empty?

Maybe you should dispose of one of your homes, you don't need two.

Or maybe you could invite someone without one home, let alone two, to move it and keep an eye for you.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 16/01/2021 17:16

I can imagine how worried you must be. Do you have anyone nearby who can check externally for you. Do you have contact details for your neighbours?

Luvacuppatea · 16/01/2021 17:17

In a similar position. I’ve left the heating on a very low setting, hopefully enough to prevent any burst pipes, damp etc.. A neighbour has a key and pops her head around the door once a week to make sure all is ok. Is there anyone local to your property who could keep an eye on it OP?

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Itsokthanks · 16/01/2021 17:17

Could you employ a local company to go in and check on it, give it a clean and set the heating to come on for a couple of hours a day to prevent damp?

The previous suggestion to dispose of it is hilarious. I'm sure the OP will want to use it again in the future when it's possible.

Original poster
DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:18

@DobbyTheHouseElk

I can imagine how worried you must be. Do you have anyone nearby who can check externally for you. Do you have contact details for your neighbours?
We can see on Ring it looks ok from the outside. Our neighbours are lovely but we've never shared numbers.. in normal times we would be there about 40% of the time.
OP posts:
Original poster
DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:20

@Luvacuppatea

In a similar position. I’ve left the heating on a very low setting, hopefully enough to prevent any burst pipes, damp etc.. A neighbour has a key and pops her head around the door once a week to make sure all is ok. Is there anyone local to your property who could keep an eye on it OP?
How I wish we'd just asked our neighbour... who I'm sure would have 🙄
OP posts:
dressedupinyou · 16/01/2021 17:20

@Itsokthanks

Could you employ a local company to go in and check on it, give it a clean and set the heating to come on for a couple of hours a day to prevent damp?

The previous suggestion to dispose of it is hilarious. I'm sure the OP will want to use it again in the future when it's possible.

Jeez
Second home owners... what are you doing about your property?
SpaceRaiders · 16/01/2021 17:22

I thought you were allowed to travel to a property to carry out essential maintenance. It certainly was the case in the first lockdown.

Do you not use a cleaner? They’d be worth their weight in gold in this exact situation. Even if the house isn’t dirty, an extra pair of eyes every couple of weeks would save you worrying.

thekingfisher · 16/01/2021 17:22

ours is a flat so less of an issue - but haven't picked up post each and no heating on at all.
we were mulling over asking(read paying) local estate agent to check in for us- as realistically it will be another month before we can go.

carryme · 16/01/2021 17:23

My friend had a similar problem she wrote a letter to the neighbours asking them to give her a ring then when they had a chat she posted a key to them so the could check in on it and turn the heating on every now and again :)

Worldbarbie · 16/01/2021 17:23

@SpaceRaiders good idea.

thekingfisher · 16/01/2021 17:24

@dressedupinyou

You might not want a debate about it but you can't control what people comment. Do you not feel shit that you have a property being left empty?

Maybe you should dispose of one of your homes, you don't need two.

Or maybe you could invite someone without one home, let alone two, to move it and keep an eye for you.

really helpful comment Hmm
Original poster
DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:24

@SpaceRaiders

I thought you were allowed to travel to a property to carry out essential maintenance. It certainly was the case in the first lockdown.

Do you not use a cleaner? They’d be worth their weight in gold in this exact situation. Even if the house isn’t dirty, an extra pair of eyes every couple of weeks would save you worrying.

Going to have a look is becoming quite tempting, and I think probably justifiable. Just don't want to if it can be avoided as I completely agree with the reasons why we shouldn't.

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 16/01/2021 17:24

Is your water turned off?

How far away is the property? Is it reasonable to travel to check and turn off water etc, make it safe etc? I think essential travel covers things like this. Obviously not if it’s abroad.

Original poster
DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:25

@carryme

My friend had a similar problem she wrote a letter to the neighbours asking them to give her a ring then when they had a chat she posted a key to them so the could check in on it and turn the heating on every now and again :)

Now that's a good idea!

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 16/01/2021 17:25

Can you get hive installed?

We turn our heating on there for an hour a day from our homes!

You could arrange it to be installed and go for the day? I would say that’s essential travel!

Original poster
DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:26

@OverTheRainbow88

Can you get hive installed?

We turn our heating on there for an hour a day from our homes!

You could arrange it to be installed and go for the day? I would say that’s essential travel!

Yes certainly something we will do when we have chance

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 16/01/2021 17:27

You might want to check your insurance policy for restrictions on what temp you have to leave it or drain the pipes

AnyFucker · 16/01/2021 17:27

Maybe you should dispose of one of your homes, you don't need two.

Green eyed monster never a good look.

Original poster
DareIask · 16/01/2021 17:28

@DobbyTheHouseElk

Is your water turned off?

How far away is the property? Is it reasonable to travel to check and turn off water etc, make it safe etc? I think essential travel covers things like this. Obviously not if it’s abroad.

It's in England.

I just can't imagine what it will be like being left for so long. I am fairly sure there's nothing in the fridge but....

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 16/01/2021 17:32

Something festering in the fridge won’t be too bad. Most you’d need a new fridge.

I think you need to check the property. Set something up going forward. But as long as you don’t see anyone or mix. There and back in the same day.

iftherewereahorseyinthehouse · 16/01/2021 17:34

I think you can go and check on it, seems to me that would be essential travel. Police may disagree.

HazyJuly · 16/01/2021 17:34

@carryme

My friend had a similar problem she wrote a letter to the neighbours asking them to give her a ring then when they had a chat she posted a key to them so the could check in on it and turn the heating on every now and again :)
So not only do they have the crap and inconvenience of living next to a 2nd home but they are expected to be caretakers free of charge.

Unbelievable.

Elphame · 16/01/2021 17:35

Slightly different since it's a business but we're visiting every 45 days or the property insurance becomes invalid. In the interim our gardener and neighbours keep an eye on it.

We've been closed by Drakeford since October so it's been a long time now.

HazyJuly · 16/01/2021 17:35

@AnyFucker

Maybe you should dispose of one of your homes, you don't need two.

Green eyed monster never a good look.

2nd homes destroy communities.
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