If your house has been unoccupied for a while it may begin to smell stale. All buildings smell even if there is nothing wrong with them. The trick is to identify which smalls are natural and which may point towards underlying problems.

The house smells stale

A stale smell is probably due to lack of circulating fresh air, particularly if the carpets are old or the rooms haven’t been cleaned properly. If this is the case the simple answer is let fresh ait in as well as giving the property a good clean through. Air fresheners may mask the smell but this is not a permanent solution and prospective tenants or buyers may wonder what you are trying to hide.

The house smells of smoke

If there is a strong smell of smoke in the house a good way to neutralise the odour is to wash fabrics and walls with a vinegar solution. If the odour lingers, then it may be time to replace carpets and repaint walls. If the house smells like smoke from a fireplace, then there could be ventilation issues and you need to get a contractor in to ensure there is no risk of fire.

The house smells musty

This may be a sign of a mildew or mould problem, so the source of the problem needs identification. Once identified the problem may be easy to solve or may require a specialist contractor or replacement of furniture and carpets. It is worth thinking about a dehumidifier in vulnerable rooms e.g. a bathroom and allowing some fresh air to circulate when checking the unoccupied property. Also check for damp spots and leaks.

Unoccupied property insurance

In addition to unwanted smells there are other threats to unoccupied properties such as fire and water damage, burglary and vandalism so why not consider unoccupied property insurance cover for peace of mind.

If you would like to review your insurance cover for your unoccupied property please get in touch with the team at Lockyers or call 01924 278222.