Empty house insurance - who can do weekly inspection?

[kaitlinktm]

A relative has died and their house is empty. They lived a distance away from me and when I insured the house I was told that the property would have to be inspected by a "responsible person" once a week. I would find this really difficult to fit in. The immediate neighbours have declined to have keys to the house - they were very good to my relative, but understandably do not want the responsibility, although they have said they can check some things without a key - I suppose if it is on fire or has been burgled. Flooding might be less obvious though.

Is there anyone - estate agent or whoever - whom I could pay to do this? We do wish to sell the house, but probate looks as though it might take some time as the deceased's affairs are rather complicated and we can't sell until probate is granted. We aren't even in a position to apply yet, so I hadn't planned on putting it in the hands of an estate agent to sell for a while.

Estate agents can do this.

Oh - even if you aren't selling the house yet?
Thanks for replying.

My DH also has his parents empty house to deal with, probate still to finish. He had an agent round to give a valuation and some advice and they mentioned that they can do an inspection service and arrange for a gardener to keep it tidy.

Thanks Beamur - you wouldn't know an approximate price would you? I presume it would be a monthly payment. Yes, the garden needs doing too come to think of it.

Estate agent will do it for a fee or might be prepared to do it for free if you say you will market it with them when the time comes.

Would the neighbours do it for a fee?

Prices would probably vary according to area - why don't you ring a few local agents to the house and ask?
Are you an executor for the estate? I would have thought costs like this would come out of the estate too.

I am acting as executor as there is no will. Yes I think the fees could come out of the estate - will wait until the house is cleared and then will contact some estate agents. Neighbours just don't want the responsibility - fee or no fee - and I can't say I blame them.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Type in responsible key holder for the area and you should get a company coming up. Alarm companies often do things like that.

We had this problem with my parents house. We kept their cleaner on, which had the double advantage of checking the property weekly and keeping it looking good for viewings.

My letting agent does this for me at the cost of £20 per visit. There was no point reletting as we were moving back in within 6 months of the last tenants leaving.