UK research highlights vacant-home conditions
Property owners in Brits who leave their homes empty for extended periods may want to check the conditions of their insurance policies, following research that shows how often properties are left unoccupied in the United Kingdom. The figures do not measure vacant homes in Brits or elsewhere in South Africa, but they draw attention to issues that can arise when a house is empty for longer than expected.
Research by Compare the Market found that more than one in four, or 26%, of UK respondents had left a property unoccupied for an extended period. The reasons included relocating for work, spending time abroad and carrying out renovations. The research also indicated that periods of absence may last longer than initially planned, creating the possibility that an owner’s insurance conditions could be affected.
The report said Scotland and Greater London recorded the highest proportions of respondents who had left a property vacant, at 31% each. The North West followed at 29%. These regional figures refer to areas in the UK and should not be confused with the North West province of South Africa.
Insurance policies may impose restrictions
Sam Wilson, a home insurance expert at Compare the Market, said owners should establish how their policy treats a property that is not occupied. Policies can include particular requirements or restrictions after a home has been empty for a specified period. Those conditions may affect whether a future claim is considered, depending on the wording of the contract.
“Wherever you live, it’s important to understand how your home insurance policy treats an unoccupied property.”
The warning is particularly relevant for owners who may regard an absence as temporary. A house that is empty while renovations are under way, while an owner is working elsewhere or during an extended trip may remain unoccupied beyond the period originally anticipated. The research did not provide South African insurance data, nor did it state how policies offered to homeowners in Brits deal with vacant properties.
What the research recorded
| Area | Share reporting an unoccupied property |
|---|---|
| Scotland | 31% |
| Greater London | 31% |
| North West, UK | 29% |
| UK overall | 26% |
Separate dwelling data cited in the research measured vacant homes across listed UK areas. The Isles of Scilly had the highest proportion, at 2.53%. Torbay followed at 2.38%, representing 1,675 vacant homes, while North East Lincolnshire recorded 2.33%, or 1,768 vacant homes. Middlesbrough, Kensington and Chelsea, Westmorland and Furness, Hastings, Thanet, Cotswold and Barnet also appeared among the 10 areas listed.
Checks to make before leaving a home
For homeowners in Brits, the immediate practical step is to review the applicable policy documents and ask the insurer what is required before a property is left vacant. The research recommends that owners consider several measures:
- Check whether the policy sets a time limit for an unoccupied property.
- Confirm any security, heating or water precautions required by the insurer.
- Arrange regular checks on the property during the owner’s absence.
- Speak to the insurer before the home is left empty for an extended period.
Wilson said owners should not assume that an empty property is covered in exactly the same way as an occupied home. The research also cautioned that leaving a property unoccupied is not always a planned decision, making it important for owners to reassess their cover when circumstances change. While the available data is based on the UK, the central message for Brits homeowners is to establish the terms of their cover in advance rather than discover restrictions only after a problem occurs.
