Vacant & Probate
Property Management
Protecting and Managing Properties While They Remain Empty
When a property becomes vacant following a death, during probate or while decisions are being made about its future, someone still needs to take responsibility for its condition, security and ongoing requirements.
Harrisons Property Solutions provides practical management and oversight of vacant and probate properties, giving executors, administrators, families and professionals one point of contact until the property is sold, transferred or returned to use.
A Vacant Property Still Needs Managing
A property doesn't stop requiring attention simply because nobody is living there.
Periods of vacancy can create practical issues including security, deterioration, leaks, weather damage, gardens, post, utilities and insurance requirements.
For executors or professionals managing a property remotely, dealing with these individual issues can become time-consuming.
Harrisons can become the central point of coordination.
Property Visits & Inspections
Scheduled visits to check the apparent condition of the property and identify issues requiring attention.
Security & Access
Helping coordinate keys, access arrangements and appropriate security requirements.
Maintenance & Repairs
Identifying maintenance issues and progressing approved works through our Managed Property Works service.
Gardens & External Areas
Coordinating garden and external maintenance to prevent the property appearing neglected.
Clearance & Preparation
Arranging clearance, cleaning and preparation where the property needs to be progressed towards its next stage.
Property Sale
When appropriate, helping move the property from management into valuation, preparation and sale.
From Vacancy to Resolution
Probate Property Management
Practical Property Support
During Estate Administration
Dealing with a property following a death can create responsibilities that continue throughout the administration of the estate.
Executors and administrators may live many miles from the property or simply not have the time to regularly visit it, organise contractors and deal with practical issues.
Harrisons can provide a single point of contact for the property, working alongside the executor, administrator, solicitor or probate professional while the estate progresses.
Executors &
Administrators
Solicitors &
Probate Professionals
Families &
Beneficiaries
Professional Estate
Administrators
Regular Property Visits
Know What's Happening at the Property
Scheduled property visits can provide reassurance that somebody is physically checking the property while it remains vacant.
- apparent security of doors and windows;
- visible signs of leaks or water damage;
- obvious deterioration or damage;
- internal and external condition;
- gardens and external areas;
- accumulated post;
- apparent maintenance issues;
- photographic evidence of the property's condition.
Depending upon the agreed instruction, visits may include observations relating to:
Where an issue is identified, we report it and discuss the
appropriate next step before additional work is instructed.
Insurance & Vacant Property Requirements
Vacant Property Insurance May Require Regular Checks
Many insurers apply additional requirements once a property has been vacant for a specified period.
These requirements can vary
considerably between policies.
Harrisons can help clients coordinate property visits and provide records of those visits where required.
The property owner, executor or administrator remains responsible for confirming the specific requirements of the applicable insurance policy.
When Something Goes Wrong
Finding the Problem Is Only the First Step
If a property visit identifies an issue requiring attention, Harrisons can help coordinate what happens next.
Issue Identified
Photographs/report provided
Contractors sourced
Quotations obtained
Client approves
Works coordinated
Preparing the Property
for Its Next Stage
A probate property might spend several months being managed before the estate is ready to deal with it.
When that time comes, Harrisons can coordinate:
- House Clearance
- Cleaning
- Garden Clearance
- Repairs & Maintenance
- Property Preparation
- Valuation & Sale
MANAGE
PREPARE
SELL
One Property. One Point of Contact.
Rather than executors, beneficiaries or professionals having to separately coordinate property visits, cleaners, gardeners, contractors, clearance companies and estate agents, Harrisons can provide a central point of coordination throughout the property's journey.
Nationwide Property Support
Managing a Property From a Distance?
You don't necessarily need to live near the property to manage it effectively.
Harrisons Property Solutions coordinates property services across the UK through our team and managed network of appropriate property professionals and contractors.
This is particularly useful for executors, beneficiaries and professional representatives dealing with properties outside their local area.
Flexible Property Management
Management Tailored to the Property
The level of support required will depend on the property, circumstances and expected period of vacancy.
We can agree an appropriate management plan based on the frequency of property visits and level of ongoing coordination required.
Additional services such as clearance, repairs, cleaning and contractor works are quoted separately before instruction.
Additional services such as clearance, repairs, cleaning and contractor works are quoted separately before instruction.
Additional services such as clearance, repairs, cleaning and contractor works are quoted separately before instruction.
Related Property Services
Responsible for a Vacant or Probate Property?
Whether you're an executor managing a property following a bereavement, a solicitor acting for an estate or an owner responsible for an empty property, Harrisons Property Solutions can help manage the practical requirements until you're ready to move forward.
Tell us about the property and what you need help with.
