IT IS now the time of year when you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark.

It also means your property is in the dark a lot as well, particularly if it is empty.

It is essential if the property you are selling is empty that valuables are removed and that you have the right insurance for the property being unoccupied.

There are specialist insurances for landlords, but it is a good idea to tell the insurance company if the property is currently between tenants and therefore empty or maybe having work carried out.

I was told recently of a break in when scaffolding was up at a property, I guess the entry points were hidden by the scaffolding making access easier for the burglar.

If you are selling an empty property for example you have moved away from the area or it is a probate sale it is essential you tell the insurance company the property is empty.

It is a very emotional time sorting through a loved ones belongings and this takes time, but if you know there are items of particular value it would be wise to take these away from the empty property.

It is a good idea to ask a friend or neighbour to regularly check the property as well.

To make a property look more occupied you could set lights on timers or have a radio playing in the back ground, this of course also applies to occupied homes as well.

It is also advisable in an empty property to drain down the water system to avoid a burst pipe in the very cold weather or set the heating on timed maybe twice a day.

In a modern home damp is far less of an issue, but in an older property without a damp proof course it would certainly be advisable to have some sort of heat on regularly to ensure damp does not set in or become worse.

It is a good idea to talk to whoever services your boiler for their advice of the best way forward for your empty property.

Ideally of course showing viewers a warm property is far more welcoming than not in the winter and will increase the chances of sale or rent.

It is generally expected now that a property will have a service certificate from the last 12 months for their boiler at the point of sale so a consultation is well worth it.

Equally now you will be expected to have your chimney regularly swept with a certificate to show this has been done in the past 12 months.

All of the above will help keep your house in order whether selling or letting and ensure it is safe and warm for future occupants.