Your legal responsibilities
As a property owner, you have a legal duty to make sure your property does not cause harm to others. This includes:
- maintaining the building
- preventing injury or damage to neighbouring properties
- ensuring the property is safe and secure
If you inherited the property, you may need to apply for Confirmation of the Estate through the Sheriff Court.
Getting legal or financial advice
If you need legal advice:
For financial advice:
Insurance and fraud protection
Many insurance policies are invalidated if a property is empty for more than 30 days. Tell your insurer if your property is unoccupied.
Specialist insurance is available for empty homes. You can register for flood alerts on the SEPA Floodline
To protect against property fraud:
- register your property with Registers of Scotland
- keep your contact details up to date
- inspect the property regularly
- be cautious when signing documents
- keep utility accounts in your name
Read the UK Governments advice on protecting your land and property from fraud.
Protecting your own home
Get advice from Police Scotland about protecting your house, stopping thieves and keeping your garden secure.