How Long Can You Leave a Property Unoccupied?

Having an unoccupied property can be an unfortunate but common occurrence as a landlord. This could be down to a gap between tenants, time needed for repairs or an extended holiday by your tenants. Either way, when your property is left vacant, the risks associated go up.

Whether it’s theft, vandalism or damage, without tenants inside to spot it, you now must tackle a different type of danger. What’s more, the length of time your property remains unoccupied has significant implications for security, maintenance and insurance.

How long can you leave a property unoccupied for before these risks go up and your insurance changes? In this helpful guide, we’ll give you the numbers and break down how you can tackle the changes to an unoccupied property with insurance.

What does ‘unoccupied’ mean for a property?

The term ‘unoccupied’ can have several definitions in property insurance and it is important to clarify the definition applied by your specific insurer. In general, it refers to the moment your property becomes uninhabited i.e. no one living in the property.

The period of unoccupancy is key, as the risks of loss or damage increase the longer this period is, and this is why you must contact your insurer and tell them your plans.

They will ask you why the property is unoccupied, and for how long this will last. What are your plans during this time? Is it just for a temporary period until a new tenant moves in or will the property be empty for a long time for other reasons?

To assist, insurers will typically clarify the time period within their policy during which they will maintain full cover for an unoccupied property.  Usually this can be up to 30 consecutive days, but others are able to maintain cover for up to 45 or 60 days. Please check the terms of your policy to ensure you understand the situation.

Typical reasons for leaving a property unoccupied

There are all kinds of reasons you might leave your property unoccupied, including:

• Under renovations or repair: In this case, it might be uninhabitable during work.
• Waiting for new tenants: In this case, it might only be a short-term vacancy.
• Empty while tenants are on a long holiday: Even if you have tenants, if they leave the property for an extended period, even on holiday, the property would be considered unoccupied.

Insurance companies, councils and mortgage providers use these terms when determining eligibility of certain coverages. Be sure you’re giving accurate information.

How long can a property be left unoccupied?

A property may be considered unoccupied if it has been empty for 30 or more consecutive days. This applies to all empty properties, regardless of whether they’re domestic rental properties, commercial or the residing owner is simply on holiday.

If your property is going to be empty for more than 30 days, it’s essential to review the terms of your insurance policy to avoid lapses in coverage. Unoccupied property insurance is a useful solution for extended vacancies, as it helps to ensure that the property is protected when empty, no matter the reasoning.

Insurance for unoccupied properties

If you have an unoccupied property, it’s likely that your property will need a different type of insurance than regular home, buildings or contents coverage. These policies commonly include clauses that impose limitations on coverage after a certain period — like requiring regular inspections or additional security measures if the property is left empty for more than 30 to 60 days.

By investing in unoccupied property insurance, you can have peace of mind when your property is unoccupied for these extended periods.

Security and maintenance implications

As mentioned, when a property is unoccupied, the risk associated with it goes up. Some of the risks you may become more vulnerable to are:

Break-ins and vandalism

Unoccupied properties are more vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and other issues.

Property damage

Leaks, electrical faults and other maintenance problems can go unnoticed, potentially leading to costly repairs.

To tackle these risks, you should look at stepping up security and maintenance of your property.

How to prepare a property for long-term vacancy

To properly prepare your property for a long-term vacancy, follow these simple steps. They’ll give you peace of mind while you oversee the property and can also help keep insurance costs down.

Security

Secure all entry points and install alarms, CCTV or even timed lights to deter trespassers and vandals.

Inspections

You should have regular inspections arranged of the vacant property. By doing this, you will spot any damage or evidence of trespassing.

Weather proofing

Prepare the property for extreme weather by keeping a steady level of heat to prevent pipes freezing.

Unoccupied property insurance from Towergate

From insurance to security concerns, leaving a property unoccupied can introduce all sorts of challenges. By understanding these risks and taking proactive steps such as unoccupied property insurance, you can better protect your vacant investment.

Get an unoccupied property insurance quote

For more information on unoccupied property insurance or additional ways to secure your property, get in touch. Our experts at Towergate can get you a quote that will suit your specific needs. It's quick and easy to either get an unoccupied property insurance quote online or call us on 0344 736 8310.

About the author

James Cooper is a respected industry leader with around 10 years' experience in the home and property insurance sector. He works across a broad range of insurance product and policy development and delivery, including product development; customer sales and marketing; and P&L accountability.

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.