If your home becomes uninhabitable following an insured event, one of the first questions you may have is: how long can I stay in alternative accommodation?
Unfortunately, there is no single answer.
Some people may only need to leave their home for a matter of days or weeks. Others can find themselves living in temporary accommodation for several months while substantial repairs are completed.
The length of time will depend on the damage, the work required and the terms of your individual insurance policy.
Alternative accommodation usually follows the repair timescale
In practical terms, temporary accommodation is generally required while a damaged property cannot reasonably be occupied.
Exactly what qualifies will depend on the individual circumstances and the insurer’s assessment.
A significant fire, flood or escape of water can create a surprisingly long repair process.
Before rebuilding even begins, contractors may need to:
- Remove damaged contents and materials
- Strip out affected rooms
- Dry the building
- Investigate the extent of hidden damage
- Prepare specifications for repair
- Obtain quotes and authorisation
- Order materials
- Complete structural or building work
- Refit kitchens or bathrooms
- Install flooring
- Redecorate
Only once the property is sufficiently repaired can you move back home.
Why an eight-week repair can become four months
Initial estimates are exactly that: estimates.
Once contractors begin opening walls, floors or ceilings, additional damage may become apparent.
Water damage is a good example.
What initially appears to be damage to flooring or decoration may involve moisture beneath floors, behind walls or inside the structure of the building. Drying alone can add considerable time before reinstatement work can start.
Other common sources of delay include:
- Additional damage being discovered
- Contractor availability
- Specialist surveys
- Approval of additional work
- Building materials
- Replacement kitchens or bathrooms
- Electrical work
- Plumbing work
- Drying times
- Changes to the original scope of repairs
This means someone who initially expects to be away for six weeks may ultimately need accommodation for considerably longer.
Why flexibility matters when choosing accommodation
If there is uncertainty around your repair programme, choosing accommodation that can potentially be extended may make life much easier.
Imagine initially arranging an eight-week stay.
Week six arrives and the contractor advises that your property will not be ready for another six weeks.
If your existing accommodation has already been booked by someone else from week nine onwards, you may have to move again.
That can mean packing everything, finding another property and disrupting work or school for a second time.
For this reason, when people approach us for long-term insurance accommodation in Maidstone, we encourage them to tell us as much as possible about both the expected duration and how certain that date actually is.
Where availability allows, extensions may then be easier to accommodate.
A long insurance stay is different from a holiday
When arranging accommodation for several months, it is worth thinking beyond the number of beds required.
After the first couple of weeks, you are not really using the property as holiday accommodation. You are temporarily living there.
That means everyday facilities become important.
For a longer stay, look for:
A proper kitchen
Having a full kitchen allows you to shop, cook and eat normally rather than relying on restaurants and takeaway food.
Laundry facilities
Access to washing facilities becomes essential when you are living somewhere for months.
Separate living space
A separate lounge gives everyone somewhere to relax without spending the entire evening in a bedroom.
Good Wi-Fi
If anyone works remotely, reliable broadband may be essential rather than simply convenient.
Parking
If you drive daily, convenient parking should be checked before committing to a long stay.
Enough bathrooms
For families, having more than one bathroom can make a significant difference during an extended stay.
A convenient location
Remaining near schools, work, family and your damaged property can help minimise disruption.
Should you choose a hotel for a long insurance claim?
There is nothing inherently wrong with hotels.
For an emergency stay of a few nights, they may be the quickest and easiest solution.
But if it becomes apparent that you will be out of your home for several months, it may be worth discussing other forms of accommodation with whoever is managing your insurance claim.
A serviced apartment gives you many of the facilities normally associated with having your own home while avoiding the need to arrange furniture, utilities and other practicalities associated with a conventional tenancy.
For this reason, furnished apartments can be particularly well suited to medium and long-term insurance stays.
What happens if the completion date keeps changing?
Changing completion dates are frustrating, but they are not unusual during substantial property repairs.
Keep in regular contact with your loss adjuster, insurer or claims handler and ask your contractor for updated estimates whenever circumstances change.
It is also sensible to keep your accommodation provider informed.
The earlier they know that you may require an extension, the better the chances of maintaining continuity rather than needing to find somewhere new at short notice.
Finding long-term alternative accommodation in Maidstone
St Andrews Apartments provides fully furnished accommodation in Maidstone for guests who need somewhere to live for several weeks or months.
Our apartments have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, separate living areas, high-speed Wi-Fi and allocated parking.
They are designed to provide the everyday facilities required for a genuine long-term stay rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
We welcome enquiries from homeowners, tenants, insurers, loss adjusters and relocation companies.
If you know that you are likely to require accommodation — even if your final repair date has not yet been confirmed — contact us with your approximate dates, number of occupants and likely length of stay.
You can also find more information on our dedicated page for insurance accommodation in Maidstone.
Every insurance policy and claim is different. The duration and cost of alternative accommodation available to you should always be confirmed with your insurer or claims representative.
Need Insurance Accommodation in Maidstone?
Our fully furnished two-bedroom apartments are available for stays of several weeks or months while your home is being repaired.