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

For @Changi www.heritage-house.org/stuff-about-old-buildings/insulation/internal-insulation-to-old-house-walls.html

@OrangeSamphire

Thanks, but if what that link says is true, your neighbour's unheated house should have no effect on the temperature of yours because of the thermal mass of the dividing wall.

Well I'm innocent of the heat thievery because our house is detached.

Such a contentious subject, but thank you to those who have offered advice.

Those of you who disagree with the concept, well none of us are perfect. We do try to contribute to the local economy (and it's not a touristy place anyway) and like I said earlier I will do some covid vacs there as a volunteer.

The dividing wall contains chimney breasts. And the loft which, on their side, isn’t insulated and is bare to the slate.

And the condensation gathering in their property makes theirs very very cold. It creates damp through the wall, which seeps into ours and you can see where that goes!

It’s really not great. And the best we can do is keep our wood burner on that side of the house on as much as possible to try and keep warmth in the stone.

I heard someone in Padstow had been posting fish through the letterboxes of known second homes.

@DimidDavilby back in the 80’s, 2nd homes were burned down in Wales. In a stance against local people not being able to afford to buy them.

And in a lot of areas, nothing’s changed.

Local people visit the local attractions, cafes, pubs and shops all year round, not just in the holidays.

Maybe but not in the numbers required to sustain the local businesses.

Where my holiday let is many cafes and local businesses are very seasonal. They close down from October half term to around Easter as there is not enough local trade to make it worthwhile opening.

I certainly don't visit all the local attractions/cafes near my own home which is not on a holiday area. I've never been in my village coffee shop - not once.

We did go to the pub weekly before lockdown but since we moved here 15 years ago, only 1 of the 4 pubs still remains open.

One has been converted to a house (still on market -unsold), one is empty and rapidly becoming derelict and one has been converted to a soulless echo box "Italian" restaurant.

Local trade here can sustain most pubs, restaurants, museums, galleries, zoos, play parks etc.

Obviously can’t sustain hotels or holiday parks.

Typically it’s in those places that have been taken over by second homes that shops or cafes close for the winter season. Like Fowey, for example. If permanent residents hadn’t had to move on because of high prices, these places would be sustainable year round, instead they are a little theme park like.

@DimidDavilby

I heard someone in Padstow had been posting fish through the letterboxes of known second homes.

Wow! I can’t decide if that’s genius or terrible.

@OrangeSamphire

Local trade here can sustain most pubs, restaurants, museums, galleries, zoos, play parks etc.

Obviously can’t sustain hotels or holiday parks.

Typically it’s in those places that have been taken over by second homes that shops or cafes close for the winter season. Like Fowey, for example. If permanent residents hadn’t had to move on because of high prices, these places would be sustainable year round, instead they are a little theme park like.

You are not in North Wales!

No, I know nothing about north Wales . Maybe it’s a similar dynamic, maybe not.

We found other ways of displacing local communities in North Wales instead, like flooding villages to create reservoirs for English cities.

OP

Have you actually looked at the law rather than guidelines? I would have thought it's fine to go and check it, especially in winter.

I would also think your insurance means you have to visit it.

I know the law is bloody hard to decipher but if this isn't considered reasonable, I'd be surprised.

How far away is it? Can you do there and back in a day? Or just spend one night there?

Bear in mind the restrictions are meant to prevent the spread of Covid, who would you be putting at risk by going just to check up? It's not a jolly holiday. People might condemn you for it, but I don't think there is any real action they could take against you.

Fish through letterboxes is just childish.

I heard someone in Padstow had been posting fish through the letterboxes of known second homes

I wish somebody would post fish through my letterbox.

A few steaks would be welcome too.

@DimidDavilby

I heard someone in Padstow had been posting fish through the letterboxes of known second homes.

Did they get Ramsey's house? 😄

I heard someone in Padstow had been posting fish through the letterboxes of known second homes.

Seems about the right mentality.

DimidDavilby back in the 80’s, 2nd homes were burned down in Wales. In a stance against local people not being able to afford to buy them.

So, mindless vandalism is excused if it's because you're 'local' and can't afford something you want? Surely if you really are local you live there in some capacity anyway? As I said upthread, my own dc's cannot afford to buy first homes in our expensive town, but it would never cross their minds to set on fire/post fish through letterboxes of those people who don't actually come from round here.

I’m pretty sure if the fishy letterbox story was true, Cornwall Live would have covered it. They love that kind of divisive click bait. Funnily enough, they didn’t.

I hope they posted chips too. I’d love some fish and chips posted through my door.

What I did was take out empty property insurance. It was a little more expensive but it gave me peace of mind. I also drained the central heating and turned off the water at the mains so the pipes couldnt freeze during winter. Not much else you can do apart from ask neighbours to keep an eye out.

I heard someone in Padstow had been posting fish through the letterboxes of known second homes

Thats disgusting. I inherited my 2nd home after the death of my beloved dad from dementia. He lived there and it was full of memories of him. The idea that someone could do something so unkind without knowing the full circumstances is fcking vile.

@Cyw2018 the fine is £200. Hardly a deterrent to wealthy people

Peanuts to second home owners

@Robbybobtail it was never excused. Never. Read up on it -meibion glyndwr.

Many locals living in Penllyn cannot afford a decent home. They are too expensive for the average wage -like in many area in the UK.

Try buying a 3 bed home in Abasok (Abersoch to locals). The cheapest you’ll get is a 3 bed chalet in The Warren -a pretty exclusive place for holiday makers.

There's a public consultation in my county asking the opinion about increasing the tax on 2nd homes and empty homes by 100%. Which i fully agree with.