Discover our guide to simple, low-stress steps for managing a deceased relatives home from a distance.
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The death of a relative brings many emotions, and there’s always a lot of administration and organisation in the early weeks. If you’re taking on the responsibility of an executor, you’ll also face some additional practical challenges.
If you live far away from the property, looking after an empty house adds a layer of difficulty. You can’t simply pop round to check the property or collect the post.
In this guide, we’ll show how you can manage this process effectively from a distance without losing peace of mind.
How to Secure the Property and Arrange Specialist Cover
Your first priority should always be to secure the physical building and arrange the correct legal protection. Standard insurance policies usually restrict or withdraw cover once a house sits empty for a set run of days, often somewhere between 30 and 60 consecutive days, depending on the insurer.
Because the probate process often takes many months, it’s essential to notify the provider or arrange a specialist policy. Always shop around for the best options before you buy, and explain your situation to multiple insurers.
The best probate house insurance policies offer specific terms for executors who can’t visit the premises every week and understand these particular circumstances.
If you’re choosing an insurance policy from afar, be sure to check the unoccupied property conditions. Some insurers demand weekly visits, which may be impossible depending on your location.
Instead of choosing a policy with unrealistic burdens, look for providers that allow longer intervals between checks. This choice gives you breathing room while you sort out the wider estate.
Set Up Realistic Inspection Schedules
Insurers require regular inspections to ensure that issues like leaks are caught early. If you can’t do this yourself, you must formalise an arrangement with someone who can. You’ll need to keep a clear log of every visit, including dates and actions taken, to serve as vital evidence for claims.
Build a Reliable Network of Local Keyholders
Since you can’t be there, find a trustworthy local contact to act as your eyes and ears. This could be a neighbour, a close friend or a property management company.
A professional firm will charge a fee for its services, but this will cover regular inspections and emergency responses.
If you choose a neighbour, ensure they have keys to the property and know how to operate the alarm. They must have your contact details and understand what to do in an emergency.
Be sure to provide them with numbers for local tradespeople, such as an emergency plumber who can act quickly if a pipe bursts.
Use Smart Technology to Monitor the Home
Modern technology provides an excellent way to keep tabs on a property from anywhere in the world. Installing a few smart devices allows you to monitor the house through your smartphone.
For example, smart security cameras can alert you instantly if they detect movement inside or outside the property’s perimeter.
You can also install smart thermostats and water leak detectors to prevent expensive damage. A smart thermostat lets you control the heating remotely, keeping the house warm enough during winter to prevent frozen pipes.
Water leak detectors sit near appliances and will send an immediate notification to your phone if moisture is present.
Control Utilities and Post From a Distance
Post building up on the doormat is a clear signal to burglars that a house is empty. To prevent this, set up Royal Mail’s Special Circumstances Redirection, which is the version of the service used when the addressee has died.
This service can’t be arranged online like a normal redirection. You’ll need to apply at a Post Office branch and show a death certificate or proof that you’re acting for the estate. This step ensures you receive important legal documents promptly while keeping the property secure.
Utilities
You also need to decide about utilities during the probate period. It’s usually wise to keep the electricity and gas running to power the heating and security systems.
If the property will stand empty through winter, the safest step is to turn the water off at the stopcock and drain the system. Simply closing the stopcock will leave water sitting in the pipes and tanks that can still freeze and burst.
A qualified plumber can drain down the system for you, and most central heating systems will still run with the mains water turned off.
Council Tax
One detail worth flagging early is council tax. A home left empty because the person who paid the council tax has died qualifies for a Class F exemption.
This exemption means no council tax is due at all from the day it becomes empty until probate is granted, and for a further six months after that.
It isn’t applied automatically, so contact the council as soon as possible to tell them your relative’s date of death and that the property is unoccupied.
Distance Doesn’t Have to Mean Neglect
Managing a deceased relative’s home from a distance is difficult, but careful planning makes it manageable. By securing the right insurance cover, using smart technology, and building a local network, you can protect the property effectively.
Taking these proactive measures allows you to focus on probate without constantly worrying about the security of the physical house. They safeguard the estate and fulfil your duties as an executor, so the property remains in good condition until it’s time to sell it or pass it on to beneficiaries.