Securing and managing a vacant property

• Fire caused by arson or a defective electrical installation
• Vandalism including malicious damage and graffiti 
• Theft e.g. damage to the building when gaining access, theft of building materials and contents
• General deterioration caused by adverse weather or water ingress, possibly as a consequence of lack of maintenance

When a property appears to be empty, it can look like a soft target for criminals. As a property owner you need to protect your premises from intruders and malicious damage. You should take measures to:

Deter any potential intruders

Introduce additional security measures, visual deterrents and maintenance of the property

Detect any intrusion at the earliest opportunity so any damage is minimised

Conduct routine inspections and provide alarm protection

Manage lawful entry to the premises

Review existing safety arrangements for the property and implement any additional controls to ensure the safety of visitors. Our unoccupied property guidance goes into detail about how to secure your buildings.

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You should always let your insurer or broker know if your property is likely to be vacant for an extended period, typically 30 days or more.  They will usually apply slightly different terms to your insurance and provide advice on how best to protect the property.