by Steve Roulstone
At our office in Stafford, at this time of year, we like to remind our Tenants on behalf of our Landlords, especially in relation to their Insurance, that during the winter months they have the responsibility of keeping their rented property at the right temperature to combat our winter weather. We do this every year to ensure that property is left unprotected during holidays, be it skiing, a winter break or just over the Christmas period that Tenants are away, the home still needs protecting. Especially after the hard spells we experienced last year, which were a timely reminder ensuring we do not take any year for granted as far as the weather in this country is concerned.
Correct temperature recommended.
Of course one of the most important pieces of advice, in amongst information on emergency procedures and confirmation of responsibility, is the correct temperature that an empty house should be maintained at and it is this one figure that I wanted to highlight today, because should you ask any group of people what temperature they should maintain their own house at whilst away during the winter months, it would be my position that very few would be correct in their estimate!
Plumbers and Insurance agree.
The surprising thing was that the recommendation was agreed by both the Insurance companies (written as part of the policy) and the plumbers we spoke to, namely that the house should be kept between 12c and 15c. (I know that in my own house, and even in the rented property I now occupy, I have never aimed to keep the property at this figure) However, what matters here is that as Agents we advise the Tenants in a manner that they both realize their responsibilities and are advised in a way that the implications are understood.
Co-operation required.
If it is part of a Landlords Insurance policy that a minimum temperature be maintained when a property is empty, then it is important that Tenants are reminded at least once a year and that the reminder is timely, with the beginning of the winter being the best time to renew the instruction. There is no doubt that cold snaps such as we experienced last year may not come every year, but then there is just as much chance that they will and this is something that the Landlord cannot ignore, because should an Insurance Company be able to prove that a property has not been maintained correctly, then they have the ultimate sanction and could refuse to accept any subsequent claim!
Clear advice and implications.
What we would all seek to avoid in such circumstances, is a situation where the Tenant can be held responsible for damage caused because they did not follow what was required of them so it is important that they are both made aware and advised of the clear implications that could follow from not carrying out there responsibility. What we do know from previous experience, is uncommon to popular belief, the majority of Tenants do understand and are sympathetic to what they need to do in these circumstances and therefore when advised properly and informed on time, they will co-operate and help to keep ‘burst pipes’ to a minimum!
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