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

[DareIask]

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

There are enough people driven crazy by horrendous neighbours living in separate flats or houses, can you imagine if some posters had their way and we all end up in communist-style properties, with a room each and a shared bathroom and kitchen?

If you can afford a second home then you can afford to pay a local property management/maintenance company to oversee it whilst it is empty, and thus contribute to the local economy.

As for all the suggestions of asking a neighbour to sort it for you, you do realise that people living in rural areas are also busy with job, family and life, and don't need to be looking after your luxury purchase for you free of charge.

Doomsdayiscoming

It's all very good to have grand plans, but as already the case with inheritance tax for example, there will be loopholes everywhere, and your tax wouldn't touch the really rich putting everything in various trusts and being exempt.

Stop wasting energy and anger against people who have a little bit more than you.

If you can afford a second home then you can afford to pay a local property management/maintenance company to oversee it whilst it is empty

the bitterness is strong on this one.

Timely thread for me because I am going to my second home tomorrow which is 2 hours away. Not been there since early November when the tier system started (Scotland). I was in tier 2, second home in tier 3. We had planned to go over the 5 days of Christmas but obviously that didn’t work out.

Like you @DareIask, under normal circumstances, we would be there most weekends and therefore have never needed to worry about the property being empty over winter. We usually go every holiday, long weekend etc so had no need to leave a key with anyone.

I intend to take my passport, house deeds and council tax bill with me in case I am stopped by the police. I will go in, collect the post, turn off the water, check everything is ok and leave. Taking a drink and snack with me so no need to use any local facilities or put anyone in danger.

We are in the same boat. We contacted a local property maintenance company and sent them the keys. They send photos and updates.

@Belindabelle

Timely thread for me because I am going to my second home tomorrow which is 2 hours away. Not been there since early November when the tier system started (Scotland). I was in tier 2, second home in tier 3. We had planned to go over the 5 days of Christmas but obviously that didn’t work out.

Like you @DareIask, under normal circumstances, we would be there most weekends and therefore have never needed to worry about the property being empty over winter. We usually go every holiday, long weekend etc so had no need to leave a key with anyone.

I intend to take my passport, house deeds and council tax bill with me in case I am stopped by the police. I will go in, collect the post, turn off the water, check everything is ok and leave. Taking a drink and snack with me so no need to use any local facilities or put anyone in danger.

Really hope you find all is well... please report back! x

Whar about this then? I have just inherited a house, now empty, which is at the other end of the country. I could stay there overnight alone, but I guess this would not be allowed under lockdown rules.

Currently a fabulous neighbour (good friend of the deceased) is looking after it. I have given her generous Christmas presents; I don't think she would accept money. I also feel she would be offended if I proposed getting a letting agent or similar take over, though I would prefer to do this, if only to relieve her of the responsibility.

@Iknowwhatudidlastsummer

Doomsdayiscoming

It's all very good to have grand plans, but as already the case with inheritance tax for example, there will be loopholes everywhere, and your tax wouldn't touch the really rich putting everything in various trusts and being exempt.

Stop wasting energy and anger against people who have a little bit more than you.

Why? Why can’t we have a fair system that benefits everyone in this country?

You are right though. I shouldn’t be angry at people having more than me. I should just accept that age 33 earning £33k and DP earning the same we will never own property. Just feels like we have been shafted. If we were 10-15 years younger we would have had no problem. We’ve put off having children until we owned, and now we probably will not have them.

I popped in on my mum's house when I was taking children to respite care. Heating on, have another relative popping in from time to time to check.

at some point in the next few years i may become a second home owner. depends on what is left after care home fees.

@BlackeyedSusan

I popped in on my mum's house when I was taking children to respite care. Heating on, have another relative popping in from time to time to check.

at some point in the next few years i may become a second home owner. depends on what is left after care home fees.

I know about care home fees too. Dreadful. And I'm sure your mum hates it as much as dad did.

I hope you also have what your parents worked for. In the meantime you sound like you have a lot on your plate.

That people are assuming objections are about jealousy or bitterness says a lot about that. That they can't conceive that people have genuine concerns about their communities, the housing crisis and a culture of property being a business and not a way for people to have a home.

It's very sad that there's assumed to be an agenda when actually some people just have strong values and wanting to give people that need it a step up.

I'm a public sector worker, as is my partner. We'll never be rich and that's ok. We've also both turned down more lucrative opportunities because they didn't fit with our values. I'm good with what I have knowing that no-one else has been disadvantaged or exploited and that I'm not depriving someone else of the chance of a home.

Urgh, says a lot about them not that.

I have honestly been in a quandary about this for weeks.

I would never deliberately break the rules. I even tried contacting the police for guidance. A visit for general maintenance is not allowed in tier 4. (All of mainland Scotland is in T4) but emergency maintenance is.

The thing is I don’t know if my house is ok or not as no one local has my details anymore. Ironically my next door neighbours, who did have a key, moved to their holiday home last year! Incidentally the person who sold me my house then moved to their retirement home that they purchased 10 years before . I have obviously bought a property in a place where nobody really wants to stay long term.

@dressedupinyou

That people are assuming objections are about jealousy or bitterness says a lot about that. That they can't conceive that people have genuine concerns about their communities, the housing crisis and a culture of property being a business and not a way for people to have a home.

It's very sad that there's assumed to be an agenda when actually some people just have strong values and wanting to give people that need it a step up.

I'm a public sector worker, as is my partner. We'll never be rich and that's ok. We've also both turned down more lucrative opportunities because they didn't fit with our values. I'm good with what I have knowing that no-one else has been disadvantaged or exploited and that I'm not depriving someone else of the chance of a home.

Get off your sanctimonious high horse for a second

I worked in the nhs for 38 years. My OH in car factories. Our parents were working class.

We've never once claimed a benefit. We've both worked shifts all our lives.

We've both lost our parents.

So we've decided to keep one of their homes.

I make no apologies n

@Belindabelle

I have honestly been in a quandary about this for weeks.

I would never deliberately break the rules. I even tried contacting the police for guidance. A visit for general maintenance is not allowed in tier 4. (All of mainland Scotland is in T4) but emergency maintenance is.

The thing is I don’t know if my house is ok or not as no one local has my details anymore. Ironically my next door neighbours, who did have a key, moved to their holiday home last year! Incidentally the person who sold me my house then moved to their retirement home that they purchased 10 years before . I have obviously bought a property in a place where nobody really wants to stay long term.

Go and check. No one in their right mind would expect you to let it go to ruin.

@DareIask I was responding to accusations of jealousy and bitterness. I'm not sanctimonious but I do have strong values. If you don't like to be challenged then don't start threads that you know are going to cause some debate. You acknowledged this in the first post.

[quote dressedupinyou]@DareIask I was responding to accusations of jealousy and bitterness. I'm not sanctimonious but I do have strong values. If you don't like to be challenged then don't start threads that you know are going to cause some debate. You acknowledged this in the first post. [/quote]
They always start debate, sadly. Even when like I said I just wanted advice.

Your values may be strong. That doesn't make them right.

Have you decided what to do OP? I live in an area full of second homes, but am happy to check all is ok, and did in the earlier lockdown. On the other hand, if it’s honestly in a distance that you could drive to without needing to stop and use services on the way, I don’t see how you would spread the virus. You may have to do a round trip in one day to avoid the overnight stay rules.

Also, I'm happy for you that you have been lucky enough not to need benefits, and it often does come down to luck and good fortune rather.

I'm not sure what point you were trying to make OP.

@CausingChaos2

Have you decided what to do OP? I live in an area full of second homes, but am happy to check all is ok, and did in the earlier lockdown. On the other hand, if it’s honestly in a distance that you could drive to without needing to stop and use services on the way, I don’t see how you would spread the virus. You may have to do a round trip in one day to avoid the overnight stay rules.

We have avoided breaking any rules because we agree with them.

I think what we've decided is we ( or one of us) will go and come back in a day soon.

@dressedupinyou

Also, I'm happy for you that you have been lucky enough not to need benefits, and it often does come down to luck and good fortune rather.

I'm not sure what point you were trying to make OP.

Yes I agree benefits are often a question of luck.

My point is my family have worked their arses off and if I get to keep something for a little while and enjoy it then anyone who objects because it's a second home can suck it up.

Apart from that we contribute significantly to the community, as I have alluded to.. we spend a significant amount of time there in normal circumstances so OH can do this.

I should just accept that age 33 earning £33k and DP earning the same we will never own property.

A combined income of over 60k and you’re complaining about not being able to afford a house?! Plenty of 2/3 bed terrace houses below 100k from Midlands and beyond. I’ve bought a whole house for £33k! Granted it was in a state. But you either lower your expectations and buy a tiny flat where you can afford. Or buy a doer upper with finance, then remortgage. Take some risks whilst you’re still young. I’m only a couple of years older than you and I’ve done just that, as a single parent!

I do wish people thought creatively about home ownership, instead of waiting for things to change for their benefit. We don’t live in a perfect world.