Property in the UK

[wiziliz]

Hello everyone
British living outside the UK, get to visit the UK only couple of times a year, due to my husband's job. We want to buy an apartment and leave it closed. ( don't want to rent ) what are the practical issues keeping the apartment closed most of the year? Do we need to have the heater on during winter? Do we have to pay council tax? Etc .Anyone in the same boat?
Thank you

Yes, you'd need to pay council tax and possibly some utilities. If it's a flat, then presumably there would be a service charge or maintenance to pay.

You will need specialised insurance for an empty property.

In many areas you have to pay full council tax if the property is empty.
You will also have to pay utility bills (electricity, gas and water) and may need to rely on estimated bills if no-one is around to read the meter. If meters are located outside the property in a communal area they can still be read. If bills are not paid on time they could cut off your supply. You would need to pay royal mail to have your post redirected to your permanent address. I would suggest joining mail preference service to prevent junk mail.
For an apartment there may be "charges" to a management committee to cover maintenance to communal areas.
Most flats are leasehold rather than freehold so there is likely to be an annual charge for this.
Obtaining insurance for an empty property is difficult as stated by dumbledore.

Insurance will be more expensive than a lived in property (maybe £500) but it isnt difficult you just need second home, holiday home insurance from a specialist company like Intasure.

Personally Id pay for someone to come round and inspect the property every now and then, especially over winter to check for leaks etc. Look at companies registered with AIIC. Theyd normally do rented properties, £30ish a go.

Yes youd need to leave heating on, or pipes may freeze, burst and cause alot of damage.

I would have thought a modern appartment would be more practical than an older conversion (maintenance wise) and something with a professional management company rather than the freehold split between all the owners (as you are absent you would have very little say in any matters).

TBH its a lot of hassle

Thank you very much indeed. That s a lot of information.

My friend does this. I don't know all the ins and outs, but know it helps that it's a modern flat in a serviced block with concierge etc. None of the owners are allowed to sublet/airbnb their property even though many flats aren't occupied full time - it's in a city so used for work whilst there's often also a family home in the country. That kind of thing may suit you.