Beware of Empty Houses as a 'Source of Problems', Make Sure to Take These Simple Steps to Avoid Financial Losses!

Not all residences are occupied, and when this happens for a long time, various problems will arise. Empty houses are practically not 'used', but the decline in the value of these houses continues to occur, and it can even be said that it is much faster than when the house was occupied.

Let's See the Definition According to The Standard Regulations

There are regulations in Indonesia that discuss the definition of an empty house. This is according to Government Regulation No. 20 of 2021 and several related regulations, stating that there are at least 4 criteria for empty houses.

Intentionally unused or unmanaged. A house or dwelling that is deliberately not used, not utilized, not managed, and/or not maintained by the owner.
Left empty for a long time. Land or houses that are left unused for 2 consecutive years can be categorized as land. Abandoned buildings taken over by the state.
Abandoned heritage houses. Houses or residences become inherited but are not lived in or managed, so there is a risk of being taken over by the state.
Does not fulfill social functions. Land and buildings that have property rights but do not fulfill their social functions, such as being left abandoned and risk causing legal problems.

The condition of an empty house can be triggered by various things. Starting from moving residences, legal disputes experienced, having been sold, passing away, and many more. It is not uncommon for houses to be left empty after a natural disaster or fire, and the owner decides to no longer live in them.

Some other causes can be related to property factors and locations that are considered less strategic, market problems, and investment reasons for buying a house. However, if it meets the criteria mentioned above, the house can be said to be an empty house.

Risks and Impacts when a House Is Empty for Too Long

There are not a few myths that say empty houses are ghost nests. But more than such supernatural things, an empty house left for too long can trigger a lot of risks and negative impacts for you as the owner.

1. Triggers Dust and Dirt

Even though it is tightly closed, dust and dirt will still form in the house. Incoming insects can carry this dust and dirt, and even carcasses from insects or small animals that are not cleaned can trigger an unpleasant odor.

The appearance of cobwebs, dirt and dust that accumulate damage to house paint that peels off, are the main problems that must be faced and realized.

2. Structural Damage to Vacant Houses

Without regular maintenance, fundamental problems in the structure of the house will soon appear. Leaky roofs, broken water pipes, and ceilings that began to break and turn yellow, to visible damage to window frames and doors.

Even though houses are built with quality structures and elements, when they are not inhabited and not maintained, this will be a big problem. Obviously, the losses that arise will continue to increase as the damage increases.

3. Destructive Humidity

Houses that are left uninhabited for too long and activities also tend to become damp. Humidity arises not only because there is a leak, but also because the air in the house tends to be immobile during its unoccupied Ness.

Especially if you are in an area that does have water-rich air, such as in the tropics, this will become a bigger problem. Humidity can trigger many problems in the home, such as the weathering of various elements that cause severe damage.

4. Swelling Economic Losses

If you look at the three risks of empty houses above, the impact is clear: house damage that must be repaired at a cost that is not cheap.

This problem will be quite big when the house is reoccupied or rented. Even if this house is going to be sold, its value will decrease drastically because of the additional costs for repairs and revitalization so that the house is comfortable to use again.

It's not a troublesome thing you want to experience.

5. Security Issues, Don't Rule Out

Empty houses for too long will also eventually trigger security problems. There is a risk of break-ins, theft, land abuse, robbery, and destruction will arise because the house is not inhabited or guarded.

This is why when the house is empty and no longer in use, it should be maintained or visited periodically to check the situation, ensure that everything remains safe and controlled.

Then How to Keep It Safe?

Several things can be done to keep your home safe and secure. Using reliable Home Insurance is clearly one of the best ways. But other simple steps that can be taken are as follows:

Make sure all gas lines are turned off or unplugged.
Empty all food items that could decompose.
Secure valuables in a safe or take them out of the house.
Do not publicly disclose the condition of empty houses on social media.
Make sure all doors and windows are locked tightly, providing additional locks if needed.
Use automatic lights that have timing or light sensor so that the lighting of the house is maintained.
Leave it to the nearest neighbors or the relevant security authorities.
Install CCTV at a strategic angle to monitor it remotely if it is not occupied.

This practical and simple step can provide protection to your home even if you are not in it for a long time.

Reliable Home Insurance is highly recommended to use, as this type of insurance can help you to reduce the risk of financial loss in the event of an untoward event. Of course, you should choose an insurance product that is solid, reliable, and clearly of quality.

Caring for Empty Houses so as not to suffer severe damage

Maintaining an empty house or a house that has not been lived in for a long time is not difficult, especially in the modern era like today. In addition to applying some of the important points in the third part earlier, you can also do routine maintenance at your home.

In addition to monitoring your home from time to time, you can use cleaning services that can be ordered online. There are quite a lot of reliable service services available, and they have high credibility for cleaning the house.

You can also ask for help from the security or security guards to check the house periodically, to ensure that the condition remains safe and under control. Remote monitoring can be done via CCTV if it is connected to the internet network.

Complete Home Protection with Home Insurance, Check Now!

Providing supervision and protection for an empty house should ideally be an easy thing to do, with the help of the right maintenance, security, and insurance products.

SmartHome insurance from AXA Insurance Indonesia is a mainstay product for this matter, because it can provide great benefits in reducing losses that arise due to one thing or another

This comprehensive protection can be obtained easily, just by contacting the official contact of AXA Insurance Indonesia. Complete, practical, and affordable, Smart Home Insurance products from AXA Insurance Indonesia will be a perfect complement to the protection of empty houses that you have in various locations in Indonesia.

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