Watch your copper pipes!

[DistinctPM]

Hi All,

As most of you would be aware, copper pipes are a big target for thieves on constructions sites. This week we had an IP that we are managing on behalf of an owner broken into and all of the copper pipes under the house (gas/water etc) were cut and removed.

The house had been on the market for sale for 3 months prior to us taking on management. Police believe the thieves are scouting Real Estate websites looking for older style homes (more likely to have copper pipes) with under-floor access that have been vacant for some time.

Access under the house was secured by a large padlock however this didn't seem to stop the thieves gaining access.

The owners of the property did not notify their insurers that the property was vacant (a requirement if it will be vacant for more than 30 days on most policies) and as such now have to foot the bill themselves. It had already been vacant for over 90 days when we took on management.

To cut a long story short, ensure access to under your property (where applicable) is properly secured and if you have an alarm perhaps fit a sensor under the house (especially if you have copper pipes). Also make sure you notify your insurers if the property will be vacant for more than 30 days (commonly the case when selling or renting).

Hopefully none of you come across this, but definitely something to be aware of. Also, you should check your PM will advise your insurers on your behalf if the property is vacant for more than 30 days so you are still covered.

Cheers
Chris

 

[travelbug]

Easy. What we do is:-

Buy a tin of spray paint and spray pipes every metre.

The scrap places don't like it with paint on it and pay a lot less.

Housing Commission places now have on the contract "not including copper piping and hot water system" even if they are there. Saves them replacing them if they are stolen. We bought a HC house that had a new new hot water system. Straight after the auction we took it (sshh) and put it away for safe keeping. Put it back in after the reno.

 

[Rolf Latham]

NSW dept of housing contracts exclude the copper pipes and has

Ta

Rolf

 

[russellpeter]

seen this happen in south Brisbane.
property sold
new owner put in tenants.
tenants call on day one saying no water
call plumber
plumber inspects then calls the office saying all pipes have been removed.
not a happy owner or tenant or agent

 

[livewildcard]

This week we had an IP that we are managing on behalf of an owner broken into and all of the copper pipes under the house (gas/water etc) were cut and removed.

The house had been on the market for sale for 3 months prior to us taking on management





Did you tell the client to check their insurance policy?

 

[skater]

This is hardly new news. We've had several sets of pipes go missing. For any property missing pipes, we put in plastic. This puts an end to the drama.

 

[pinkboy]

We have several newspaper reports per year where someone thinks its a great idea to steal a whole reel of copper cable (we are talking a couple of tonnes here) and strip it and then present it to a scrap metal dealer. Obviously the scrap metal dealer would have to report suspicious activity, so there are some real doozies out there!

pinkboy

 

[goonandtell]

we had 2 ex hc places we purchased that needed all new pipes, real pain in the **** was when it was damaged in the wall they could at least be nice and cut it at floor level rather than pull it through. Wasn't cheap but we knew when we purchased about it.

 

[DistinctPM]

Did you tell the client to check their insurance policy?

We sure did, they are reviewing it but the insurer has already advised them that they were in breach by not notifying them the property was vacant for more than 30 days.

 

[fisherman]

Just a word of caution on putting in plastic pipes. We have experienced problems in some houses where:

- the original contractor dumped sharp shale to bury the pipes instead of bedding in sand then covering. The slight movement in the pipes or crushing wears a hole some years later;

- rats love gnawing the plastic (almost as much as the plastic used in dishwasher pipes). A pipe crossing or bordering a likely 'run' is an invitation for a nibble and a geyser. Where tenants have pets there is often food available to encourage rats. It only takes one rat; and

- only some plumbers spend the $$ on the gear to work with the plastic pipe (ours is of German manufacture).

 

[saiman]

its ridiculous what lengths thieves go to to make a small quid

whats even more ridiculous are the ones who go through old meter boxes to strip the copper wiring essentially risking their lives for a few dollars worth of copper!

 

[EagerAchiever]

I have noticed lately that a few instantaneous HWS have been missing from properties that I have been looking at in Perth. One was ripped right out of its cabinet and the other was missing but looked like it was removed with a bit more care.