Short term visit to second home to check condition

As a second home owner a short term visit is suggested to check the property and ensure it is secure. This should be done over a short period say 48 hours with any second home owner ensuring they maintain social distancing at all times. People should take all provisions and only move from their permanent home directly to their second home and then stay within that for the duration of their stay. This would not put any additional strain on the local community whilst allowing them to check their property.
Travel should be direct from the permanent residence to the second home. It could also be invited to a maximum of 2 people from the same household on one vehicle.

Why the contribution is important

The security and condition of second homes need to be checked, especially as the lockdown is likely to be significant. This can be done safely without undue risk to local communities where second homes are if simple rules are adhered to. This should not to allowed to become a holiday with strict timescales applied and conditions attached such as taking all did for the visit and not leaving the second home once there.

Checking of all homes is a condition of home insurances and without a periodic check damage could occur to some properties.

by macdonaldbj on May 05, 2020 at 02:49PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.0
Based on: 35 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Willyscotsman May 05, 2020 at 15:11

    Holiday homes in rural Scotland has had negative impact on local economies for years. Use all empty properties to house the people in desperate need.

  • Posted by ADD22 May 05, 2020 at 15:19

    This should also be extended to second homes outside of Scotland. These are financial assets that need to be maintained.

  • Posted by Boredtotears May 05, 2020 at 15:43

    Agreed even a short break would help. I have renewed my insurance and it stipulates the 30 day uninhabited rule as mentioned.

  • Posted by Robolls May 05, 2020 at 15:46

    Our second home, shared with my sister, is a family home, not a holiday home for let. It needs checked to ensure that all is well with it and as macdonaldjb said needs checked for Insurance and upkeep purposes. Not fair to put that responsibility on neighbours. Once major lockdown is easing, could travel to house, take all provisions necessary, not go near shops and easily social distance. Only requirement is to be able to get on a CALMAC ferry but residents and essential workers are already using them and presumably all is well. Not at moment an urgent priority but as we move beyond summer may will become one regarding winter protection.

  • Posted by ColinR May 05, 2020 at 16:13

    Fully agree with the sentiment, aim and justification above. We have what we class as our weekend home for ourselves and grandchildren, not "just" a holiday home, in a relatively remote area and can take all provisions required with no danger of infection spread since there is no physical or near contact with anyone. Travelling by car, without stopping en- route. Its good for the state of mind. Fully appreciate many, many others are not in such a fortunate situation.

  • Posted by russellkennedy May 05, 2020 at 16:44

    fully agree

  • Posted by LAM May 05, 2020 at 19:55

    100% support this. My holiday home is usually rented out and brings tourists and money to the local (Spey Valley) economy all year round and supports the many shops and other businesses in the area. I need to look after it and my insurance is already voided in some aspects due to the prolonged period it has been unoccupied. It has already suffered recent damage from a water leak that is still being repaired. Whether you have a rented holiday home like mine or a private one is academic. These are assets and need maintained and we cannot just stand by and let them fall into disrepair. I am perfectly happy to not stay there but I cannot stand having to watch my years of work and investment disappear due to an unnecessary harsh set of restrictions. Where is the harm in travelling in a car and visiting or staying in a property that you can transport all you need to? In my case I can guarantee not to come into any contact with anyone at all! I can't do that at home.

  • Posted by Nell5a May 05, 2020 at 23:49

    My elderly father moved in to full-time care a few months ago - there is much to be done in the house to get it ready for sale, to say nothing of routine maintenance. But it has sat empty now for two months as all 'work' needed to stop.

  • Posted by ErnestWastell May 07, 2020 at 08:13

    At the start of the shut down the PM recommended that everyone should remain within reach of the health area in which they were registered. This would normally mean that second homes were a no-no. Visits should therefore be short and for control/insurance reasons only. It should not be a virus hideaway as this could add additional pressure to limited medical facilities in the area.

  • Posted by scottc May 07, 2020 at 09:25

    I live on an island with many second homes, indeed I am "looking after" a couple of them while they are empty. Several owners have violated the don't travel instructions and talked their way onto the ferry as they have proof of ownership (and they are not popular with the locals, as they put strain on the shops and local GPs). I would support this for later in the year as long as the owners bring everything they need and self isolate when they are here in order to check homes before the winter.

  • Posted by Spbc May 07, 2020 at 10:18

    Would very much appreciate being able to have 48/72 hour access to check everything ok.

  • Posted by Fiona1 May 08, 2020 at 09:38

    People should be allowed to use their own second homes once lockdown starts to ease as long as they are adhering to the social distancing. They pay for the home and need to be able to check the house is still in order and not falling into disrepair. Second home owners also contribute to the local economy alot of which is usually seasonal and as a shop owner I would like to see second home owners be able to return to the village. I do not agree with them letting their homes out etc but see no reason for them not to return to their own second homes.

  • Posted by carterkjef May 09, 2020 at 12:32

    Would very much support being able to visit for a short while both for condition/insurance checks and for well-being. My husband is a carer in a very distressing situation and our get-away time when other family members can help out is his only relief from 24/7 anxiety. We are very strict on self-isolating; we can carry everything we need with us and would not want to use local shops or have contact with others. We can and do make the journey of 400+ miles without contact with others or going into motorway services. We ourselves are healthy and happy to take any test, carry any document that would prove this.

  • Posted by Rjcms May 09, 2020 at 19:06

    I THOUGHT I HAD ADDED THIS COMMENT LAST NIGHT.
    MY RATING HAS BEEN RECORDED BUT THE TEXT HASN'T.
    IT DIDN'T SEEM OFFENSIVE AND THEREFORE DELETED.
    YOU HAVE AN EMAIL SO PERHAPS YOU CAN LET ME KNOW

    We appreciate that the question of second homes is viewed prejudicially within Scotland in the current circumstances.
    We have been, as over 70s, essentially self isolating for 7 weeks now with all the associated tensions that brings. Our 2nd home, intended as our final retirement home, is within an hour of the primary residence and is in need of a visit. It seems anomalous that I could employ a gardener but can't go and cut my own grass/hedge etc.
    Equally, because of restricted access to specialist shops home DIY projects are running out while there are many tasks outstanding at the secondary residence as well as locked away tools.
    For us, travel to the second site involves leaving domestic isolation using vehicular isolation, arriving for a period of secondary domestic isolation before a further period of vehicular isolation delivers us baçk to square one. Where is the harm in that? As retired scientists with biomedical backgrounds we fully understand the science.
    If we may drive for classic exercise why can't we drive for a different form coupled with a sense of achievement and wellbeing?
    No overnights though, that runs the chance of too much social intercourse.
Log in or register to add comments and rate ideas

Idea topics