QUESTION
The local hospice has a stand-alone dwelling on the grounds of the hospice which is used by relatives of patients for short-term stays. Multiple parties use the dwelling over the course of the year and for some periods it is unoccupied. The dwelling has its own kitchen and bathroom.
The hospice buildings (including the dwelling) are insured commercially, it is assumed the dwelling is covered by EQC and a levy should be charged accordingly. Please can you confirm?
EQC replies
For it to be a residential building for the purposes of EQCover, you must establish the existence of a Dwelling.
The premises must:
• be self-contained; and either
• be the home or holiday home of at least one person;
or
• be capable of being the home or holiday home of at least one person and be intended by the owner of the premises to be the home or holiday home of at least one person.
A home is defined where a person chooses to live (whether alone or with others) on a more than temporary or transient basis and the prime purpose of the premises is to serve as somebody’s home, then this will constitute a home for EQCover purposes.
The property described as used by relatives of patients for short-term would not meet the definition as home and unlikely to be seen as a holiday home either so an EQC levy should not be collected.
