Clergy Housing

Emergency repairs are those which need dealing with either immediately (e.g. gas escapes or serious water leaks) or within 48 hours, such as blocked drains and boiler failure. During office hours please contact the Property Team for advice before any work is carried out:

Office Hours Contact:  Property Team or 01727 615623

Out of Office Hours Contact: Please contact a local contractor directly to ensure that the problem is quickly resolved, reducing risk to people and property. If possible contact a contractor known to the parish, or alternatively use a Check-A-Trade approved contractor to ensure reputability. Please be aware of the risk of being over-charged by emergency contractors sourced from online searches.

Please also log the issue on Fixflo so that we are aware.

Our usual contractors for common problems are:

All emails concerning repairs must have the benefice name, your name, and the problem in the subject line please.

The Board are incredibly grateful to Churchwardens and other people involved in looking after clergy housing during a vacancy. The Property Team will inspect the property as soon as possible when the outgoing clergy person has moved on, so that decisions can be made on what works need to be done before a new person is appointed. The Board seeks to provide attractive accommodation that is cost effective and minimises environmental impact.

In most cases the parish or benefice will undertake redecoration of the house and be responsible for gardening and outbuildings. There is useful information for managing the house during a vacancy below.

During a vacancy the churchwardens are legally responsible for the security of the parsonage house or team vicarage. This means visiting the property twice a week when it is empty (We would advise you to keep a log of your visits) and advising the Parsonage Estates Manager of any problems with the property.

The house will be covered for up to two years against malicious damage, theft or attempted theft, accidental breakage of glass or sanitary ware (all up to £2,500 excluding £500 excess); and against escape of water or oil and freezing of water (both up to £5,000 excluding £500 excess). There will also be cover against major disasters like fire. All the above cover is dependent on the following conditions being stringently adhered to:

1. All locks, bolts and other protective devices must be put into operation.
2. A minimum of twice weekly internal and external inspections of the house must be made by a responsible person. (Please make a written record of the date and time of the visits.)
3. In respect of cover for the escape of water or oil and the freezing of water, the water supply must be turned off at the mains and the heating system drained down during the months of October to March unless there is an automatic central heating system in constant operation (involving the water supply) which is set at a minimum temperature of 6 degrees centigrade. The loft hatch should also be left open to allow heat from the house to circulate. These measures should help ensure that no damage is caused should there be a sudden very cold spell. Draining down the system tends to make the house very unwelcoming and can lead to deterioration, especially where there are carpets.

Please note that there is no insurance cover during a vacancy for any contents in the house. This means that carpets, curtains, any furniture that may have been left behind and any office equipment belonging to the PCC which may be in the house are completely uninsured unless the PCC chooses to take out an independent insurance. Whilst the house is in occupation, all these items would of course be covered by the clergy person’s own household contents policy.

During a vacancy the churchwardens are legally responsible for the security of the parsonage house or team vicarage. This means visiting the property twice a week when it is empty (I would advise you to keep a log of your visits) and advising the Parsonage Estates Manager of any problems with the property.

It is normally advisable to let the property where possible in a vacancy. This ensures the house is occupied and not a target for vandalism or other anti-social behaviour and is kept ticking over.

The cost of the utilities (gas/oil and electricity) normally met by the clergy person and the cost of gardening, if not carried out by volunteers, will be paid by the Board of Finance whilst the house remains empty. It would be helpful if the utility costs could be met initially by the parish and copies of the bills sent to the Property Team for reimbursement at the end of the vacancy. All utility bills should be put in the name of the PCC.

In the winter months please leave the heating on – although not at too high a temperature – around 12-15 degrees unless we are in a very cold snap should suffice. See the insurance information above.

Telephone and broadband costs are not met by the Board; the payment of water bills is arranged by the Property Team.

The Property Committee will make a grant of up to £1,000 towards the cost of interior decorating which is given to the new incumbent directly. PCCs often decide to assist with the cost of decorating and this should be agreed with the person appointed.

Please ensure you collect all keys for the house from the departing clergy person.