The number of empty buildings is increasing and vacant properties mean the loss of significant rental income for property owners and the threat of squatters, vandals, arson, graffiti and fly-tipping, all of which are a major FM headache. Here Mark Cosh, director at SitexOrbis explains how to manage them:
1. Prevention is easier than cure: keeping vacant property secure and preventing intruders, squatters and break-ins, and getting the property reoccupied quickly is cheaper than dealing with problems after they occur.
2. Conduct a risk assessment, looking at both how squatters or intruders could access the property and other potential sources of damage.
3. Disconnect services to the property to prevent water damage or fire risk and check protective installations such as fire detection and alarm systems. Property owners may be liable if a squatter or intruder injures himself within the property.
4. Don't advertise the fact that the property is vacant. Avoid a pile of post by the front door, a clear view into an empty space, unkempt external areas including graffiti, fly-tipping and even long grass and untidy planting, or broken windows.
5. Seal up the letterbox to ensure that a pile of post doesn't become fuel for an arsonist and letters are returned or forwarded rather than going unanswered.
6. Inform your insurer that the property is empty so that you are covered in the event of an intrusion.
7. Secure the premises using the most appropriate means from demountable steel screens to wireless alarms, CCTV or even manned guards and dog patrols.
8. Keep track of the entry/exit details to the premises. Catching and dealing with break-ins is essential to prevent squatters gaining access.
9. Make regular visits to the property to inspect it, and make sure these visits provide an audit trail, such as by using a time and date stamped camera and/or hand-held computer, in case there is a later insurance claim.
10. Demonstrate to potential intruders or squatters that you are serious about security and they are likely to move on to an easier target.
For a free copy of the vacant property management code of practice, email info@sitexorbis.com
