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Here are Some Important Maintenance Tips for Vacant Homes

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Home is indeed one of the most important assets you have, as you have invested a good amount of money in buying that. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain it and take preventive measures to avoid losses due to unforeseen incidences. When you leave a house empty or vacant for a long time, it is more prone to damages that might be caused due to fire, theft, natural calamity or any unforeseen events. Therefore, it is advisable always to have property insurance for your home, which will provide coverages for loss against any unwanted events.

Here some maintenance tips for vacant homes, which you can implement to keep your residence secure

1. Lock and secure all windows and doors

Ensure that you lock all windows and doors in your home before moving out. While this may sound obvious, there is a possibility of forgetting to check the locks amid a chaotic and stressful move. Most people moving out of a home are not only in a hurry to get to their new place but are also busy directing movers or loading a truck. As a result, double-checking the locks can easily fall to the bottom of the to-do list. However, it’s one of the most important steps to protect your home when planning to leave it vacant.

2. Install More Lighting

Install good lights both inside and outside the home become deterrents from potential vandals or thieves because it looks like someone is home. Install motion-activated exterior lights to turn on when someone enters your property and hopefully scare them away. Install a timer on inside lights, especially in the rooms that face the street, to give the illusion that someone is home.

3. Keep Your Neighbors in the Loop

Remember to keep your neighbours in the loop when the home is vacant. Before you leave, discuss with your neighbours what your plans are and how long the home will be vacant. Neighbours are great sets of eyes and ears around your place when you can't be there. Ensure they have your contact information should they see anything unusual or suspicious happening on your property. It is also advisable to leave an extra key with a trusted neighbour, friend or family member who lives nearby. You'll be able to do so for investigation purposes if you need to let someone inside the house, such as a relative or even a police officer. Maintenance guys like plumbers, painters, etc., can enter the home when required.

4. Consider purchasing a vacant home insurance policy

If leaving your home vacant, it is wise to buy a vacant home insurance policy. Most insurance plans will cover acts of vandalism and certain disasters, such as fire, lightning, theft and more. Contact your current home insurance provider to ask about your existing plan and their vacant home coverage options.

5. Check the plumbing

Water intrusion can be among the costliest forms of damage. So make sure the plumbing is drained before any extended period of vacancy. And should cold weather be expected, ensure the heat remains on to avoid a pipe bursting.

6. Install Security Cameras

It is wise to install security cameras at suitable locations in your home. This will ensure safety, and as cameras are visible, they can work as a warning. However, should you experience vandalism or theft, these security cameras can help identify the perpetrators.

Conclusion

You are never warned of any unfortunate events that can lead to massive losses by damaging your home. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the above-mentioned tips to keep your vacant home secure. It is also preferable to go for HDFC ERGO property insurance to secure your home against any unforeseen incidences.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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