Own a Vacant House in Massachusetts? Here's What to Know
A vacant house in Massachusetts costs money every month: insurance gets harder to keep, pipes can freeze, and cities like Springfield require vacant properties to be registered, secured and maintained. Most standard homeowners policies stop covering key risks after a house sits empty for about 60 days. The sooner you winterize, insure and decide on a plan, the less it costs.
What to look for
- No one has lived there for 30 to 60 days or more
- Heat is off or set low with water still in the pipes
- Break-ins, squatters, graffiti or dumping
- Overgrown yard or snow and mail piling up
- Letters from the city about registration or maintenance
What it costs
| What | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant home insurance | About 25% to 50% more than a standard homeowners policy | policygenius.com |
| Winterizing a house | $50 to $1,500 depending on scope (national average) | angi.com |
| Springfield vacant or foreclosing property cash bond | At least $10,000 ($1,000 kept by the city as an administrative fee) | ecode360.com |
| Springfield non-compliance fine | $300 per day of violation | ecode360.com |
Ranges are published estimates; your quote depends on the house. Get two or three written quotes.
Massachusetts rules to know
- Springfield requires owners to register a vacant property within 30 days of it becoming vacant (or within 15 days of a foreclosure starting), keep liability insurance, post a cash bond and name a local contact within 20 miles; fines are $300 per day. (source: ecode360.com)
- Springfield's vacant property ordinance requires owners to drain the plumbing and turn off electricity between September 15 and June 15, and to keep the property secured. (source: ecode360.com)
- Springfield's city summary of the ordinance lists a $100 annual registration fee and weekly maintenance. (source: springfield-ma.gov)
- The Massachusetts FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort, won't insure a property that is vacant or condemned. (source: mass.gov)
- The Massachusetts Division of Insurance warns that burst-pipe water damage is typically covered only if the home was kept heated and not left unoccupied. (source: mass.gov)
Who to call
- An insurance agent who writes vacant-dwelling policies
- A licensed plumber to winterize and drain the system. Check a plumbing license: occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov
- Your city's code enforcement or building department about vacant property registration (Springfield: 413-787-6031)
- A registered contractor to board up or repair. Check HIC registration: services.oca.state.ma.us
DIY or hire a pro?
Mowing, shoveling, checking the house weekly and changing locks are fine to do yourself. Draining and winterizing the plumbing and heating system is best left to a licensed plumber so nothing is missed.
If fixing it is more than you want to take on
Moving back in, renting or fixing and listing all stop the vacancy costs, but each takes time and money. You can list the house as-is, though vacant houses can be harder to insure and show. A cash buyer can close quickly and take on the vacancy problems, but will pay less than a move-in-ready house would bring.
Want a cash offer on the house as it is?
Western Mass Cash Home Buyers buys houses as-is across Western Massachusetts: no repairs, no cleanout, no fees. You pick the closing date.
Common questions
How long can a house be vacant before insurance stops covering it?
Many standard policies stop covering theft and vandalism after about 60 days of vacancy, and some insurers use 30 days. Call your agent before the house goes empty.
Do I have to register a vacant house in Springfield, MA?
Yes. Springfield's ordinance requires registration within 30 days of vacancy, a local contact, liability insurance, a cash bond and regular maintenance.
How do I winterize a vacant house in Massachusetts?
Shut off the water, drain the supply and heating lines, add antifreeze to traps, and have a plumber confirm it's done. In Springfield, the ordinance requires draining plumbing between September 15 and June 15 for registered vacant properties.
Will the Massachusetts FAIR Plan insure a vacant house?
No. The FAIR Plan requires that the property not be vacant or condemned.
What's the fastest way to sell a vacant house in Massachusetts?
Selling as-is to a cash buyer is usually fastest, but you trade some price for speed. Listing with an agent can bring more if the house is in good shape.
Related guides: Hoarder house · Dumpsters & junk removal · Code violations & city fines · Problem tenants · Failed home inspection · Selling in a divorce · all house problem guides
Sources
Checked September 2026: ecode360.com · springfield-ma.gov · mass.gov · mass.gov · policygenius.com · angi.com · services.oca.state.ma.us · mass.gov
General information, not legal, tax, medical or engineering advice. Rules and prices change; confirm with the agency or a licensed professional.