I see that Halifax Home Insurance has released a report saying that over one million British holidaymakers come back from holiday each year to find havoc in their houses.
This year’s holidaymakers can expect repair bills of £2.3 billion to put right damage from criminals, the elements, friends, family and faulty utilities.
Damage Figures for the Last Ten Years
Criminal damage
Over the last ten years 2.5 million holidaymakers have come home to find that they’ve been burgled and more than 600,000 people have had their homes vandalised while they were away.
Water leaks
1.7 million holidaymakers came home to water damage – about £1 billion pounds worth nationwide .
Storm and fire
Almost 700,000 returned to storm damage and over 100,000 to fire damage.
Friends and Family
A million people came home to damage caused by their children half-a-million people said a house sitter had caused damage whilst they were away.
Utility Repairs
Around seven million people have come home to find a fault with a utility such as their central heating, hot water, gas or electricity – costing over £210 million per year to fix.
Checklist for Leaving your House Unnoccupied
Here is a basic checklist that can help you protect your property whilst you’re away from home.
- Check your home insurance policy, especially if your home is to be empty for a consecutive period of days. Watch out for the policies that only cover an unoccupied house for up to thirty days.
- Ensure pipes are lagged if you’re leaving the property unattended in cold weather.
- Leave a key with a trusted neighbour and ask them to check your property regularly.
- Put all deliveries on hold, e.g. newspapers and milk.
- Make sure your house looks lived in:
- Buy a timer to turn lights on and off in the house when you are away.
- Ask whoever is looking after your property to open and close curtains from time to time.
- Organise a friend to mow your lawn regularly.
- If you’re taking your vehicle, request a friend or family member park there occasionally to make the property look lived in.
- Deposit valuables at the bank or with a trusted friend. Avoid keeping excessive amounts of cash or jewellery in an unoccupied property.
- Always leave a contact address and phone number so that your neighbours know how to contact you in an emergency.