Care of Vacant Houses
Parochial Assistance in the Care of Vacant Clergy Houses
a. Parochial help, particularly from the Churchwardens in respect of the following, is always greatly appreciated: -
Notify the police of the date the house is to be vacated in order that the house may have police supervision and notify the Property Department at Church House as to who holds the keys.
Ensure that meters are read and services turned off - water, gas, electricity and oil tank - and that cisterns, boilers and radiators are drained by a qualified contractor. The Property Department will arrange draining down if requested to do so by the Churchwardens.
Please check on a daily basis that all doors, windows and outbuildings are secure, and notify the Property Department and police of any signs of vandalism.
Clean gutters, spouts and outside drains periodically.
Not allow the house or grounds to be used for any parish purposes without the consent of the Property Manager. If should be noted that insurance on unoccupied houses is very limited and could be invalidated by parochial use of a vicarage or rectory during an interregnum. Any PCC, which uses a house during an interregnum, does so at its own risk and by doing so automatically indemnifies the Diocese against any damage or insurance claim (such as public liability, fire etc).
Arrange for the garden and grounds to be maintained in a reasonable condition by voluntary labour. If the PCC chooses to engage paid labour they must meet the cost. If a vacancy exceeds 9 months, or in instances of particular difficulty, please contact the Property Manager.
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