Anyone with a second home or holiday property in the UK may feel like they want to treat family and friends to a change of scenery by offering them a staycation break in their home-from-home. Before you lay out the ‘welcome’ mat though, you may find it helpful to think about a few basics to avoid potential mishaps and to keep relationships sweet!

Safety checks and holiday home insurance implications
Make sure your gas, electricity and boiler checks are up to date and that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working correctly. Check your insurance to see if there are any instructions or restrictions that you should draw to your guests’ attention, so you don’t invalidate your cover. See our FAQs for insurance when lending your holiday home to family and friends.

Create a quick guide
A guide on where the stopcock and fuse box are, finding the WIFI code, when the bins go out and not walking muddy boots through the house are ways to provide helpful information and to set some expectations about looking after your bolthole.

Do a final sense-check
If your space is usually occupied by adults only and you are considering lending it out to a family with children, take a look around and perhaps pack away any potentially hazardous or valuable items for peace of mind. Let anyone know, who needs to know, that you will be having guests; a designated key holder, concierge or just a friend or neighbour who keeps an eye on the place for you.

With just a bit of preparation you can keep your guests safe to enjoy a welcome break and your home-from-home in great shape for the next time your visit.

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FOR LIFESTYLES WORTH PROTECTING

The important things are intangible, and the right insurance cover can give peace of mind – giving you one less thing to worry about. Towergate can help with your insurance needs.

www.towergatepartners.co.uk/towergate | Telephone 0330 123 3593 | Email schoolnotices@towergate.co.uk

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Towergate is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England with company number 4043759. Registered Address: 2 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7PD. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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This article features in the Summer issue of ‘Noticed’ magazine