A guide to keeping your vacant property secure

Whether your property is commercial or residential, it is a highly valuable asset that requires protection.

The moment that your property becomes vacant, this becomes a more challenging task as there is no one on-site to make sure your security systems are operational at all times.

A poorly managed vacant property can swiftly turn from an asset to a nightmare, leaking money and becoming an expensive liability.

What risks are associated with vacant properties?

There are many risks associated with property ownership in general but even more so when it comes to vacant properties.

The potential for serious damage and the associated cost rise significantly if a property is left unattended so it is essential that you put measures in place to guard against disaster.

Some of the most common risks associated with vacant properties include:

• Flooding – If you spot a utility leak in your own home it is an inconvenience but a quick call to your local plumber will have the issue resolved. The same leak in a vacant property, however, can quickly lead to flooding and extensive property damage.
• Arson – With no-one on site to hear fire alarms, an intentional or accidental fire can quickly catch hold and devastate your property.
• Fly Tipping – If you own a large area of land fly tipping can be a real issue and if there is no evidence of activity, criminals are far more likely to risk using your property for this purpose.
• Burglary – The worst nightmare of any property owner, burglars are particularly keen on vacant properties due to the lower risk of being interrupted.
• Squatters – Squatters are well known for targeting vacant properties and once in place they can be extremely difficult and expensive to have evicted, not to mention they may make your property the base for anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and theft.

Protecting your vacant property

By putting an effective plan in place, you will be able to effectively protect your property against all the problems mentioned above.

Some of our top tips for protecting a vacant property include:

Install security screens

An effective security system really is a must for those leaving their property empty for a prolonged period of time.

Consider adding security boards or screens over access points to prevent trespassers from gaining easy entry and ensure the exterior is well lit to highlight the precautions you have taken and increase visibility.

Timber boarding is the most effective way of doing this and is probably your best option if you are only leaving the property temporarily between tenancies but steel screens are worth the extra expense in the long-term as their increased strength offers an additional level of durability and strength.

Modern steel security screens are designed to allow ventilation whilst being extremely resistant to break-in attempts using crowbars or hacksaws.

Check-In Regularly

If possible, stop by your vacant property every so often to ensure that everything is as it should be and your security system is still operational.

If this isn’t possible, have a trusted friend, neighbour, or a trained security professional conduct inspections on a regular basis.

A vacant property inspection should include:

• Checking the boundary for signs of attempted entry
• Checking for storm damage
• Checking all doors and windows remain locked or screens intact
• Checking for seasonal issues such as frozen pipe leaks, mould growth, or leaves that have built-up within the guttering

Have your property monitored

By far the most effective way to actively protect a vacant property is to have a professional security firm monitor the site.

Manned guarding is an effective option, but expensive, and not a viable option for most for a prolonged period.

Instead, invest in a 24-hour monitored CCTV and burglar alarm system that allows security staff to monitor your site remotely from a central monitoring station and respond in real time should an incident be detected.

Should an intrusion be identified or a fire break out, the security team will immediately alert the police or fire service, ensuring a rapid and effective response to emergency situations.

Furthermore, you will be able to access the security system yourself via mobile device from anywhere in the world giving you peace of mind that everything is as it should be whilst you are away.

Both CCTV and burglar alarms also work as effective deterrents to criminals looking to avoid detection meaning that their installation could well prevent any incidents occurring in the first place.

Your insurance company may also be willing to offer a slightly lower premium with such measures in place to the lower perceived risk.

For more information on vacant property security, including our alarm monitoring services, get in touch with v-360.co.uk today and our expert team will be delighted to help.

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