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While we’ll all leave our property empty from time to time, a lengthier vacancy can present a window of opportunity for thieves, trespassers and other criminals. That’s especially concerning for businesses with confidential files, expensive equipment, and restricted areas, all of which form part of their site.
There are solutions that you can implement, though. At ProFM, we’ve long been dedicated to vacant property security, and with our latest deep dive, we’ve compiled an expert selection of tips on how to secure an empty property effectively and efficiently.
To properly secure vacant premises, we recommend investing in both physical security measures, such as security officers, canine handlers, and barriers or fencing, as well as security technology, including CCTV cameras, intruder alarms, and access control features.
You should also complete basic checks yourself, such as checking door and window locks, closing off any access points (like staff entrances), and addressing any persistent issues, like water ingress or live electricals (which you should switch off at the socket or fuseboard).
You’ll discover much more detail, alongside practical advice, in our guide below.
Arguably, one of the most robust and effective solutions when it comes to guaranteeing the safety and security of a site is hiring vacant property security officers. These expertly trained security professionals can offer a full suite of services.
The core duties of any security presence at a vacant property include:
Not only will these responsibilities help keep your property protected, but manned guarding for a vacant property also offers a visual deterrent to opportunistic thieves or trespassers, preventing squatters and unwanted attention.
It’s been seen time and again that more visual security measures are arguably the most effective way to ensure the safety of your premises. This is supported by scientific research, which shows that security guards are a proven method for reducing crime across various environments.
Another of the mainstays across the security industry, and one that’s seen a considerable evolution since its inception, CCTV for a vacant property offers a comprehensive solution to the concerns you might have.
Now offering a far more high-tech and sophisticated solution than its grainy predecessors, a modern CCTV package encompasses a vast range of tools that simplify the process of how to secure your vacant property, from AI integration and early-warning threat detection to audio warnings issued to trespassers.
By opting to use a trusted and well-established provider like ProFM for your vacant property CCTV monitoring, you’ll be permanently connected to our round-the-clock National Operations Centre, which is entirely in control should the worst happen.
Additionally, with our commitment to the latest technology, we’ll be able to respond promptly to any disturbance or intrusion and deploy support accordingly. This can take the form of a registered and expertly trained security professional, or, in extreme cases, an immediate referral to emergency services.
Often seen as an extension of more traditional static security guarding, mobile patrols go far beyond just a bolt-on for a more conventional option. In fact, they’re often a strong supplement to the existing security presence you might already have on site, such as steel boarding, letterbox blocking, or mitigations in place for damp, mould or mildew prevention.
Equipped with a vehicle for larger or more sprawling premises, mobile security patrols will undertake routine walk-rounds of your vacant premises, ensuring the integrity and completeness of any measures you have in place, such as fencing or barriers.
They’ll also be able to investigate any breakages (especially important if you’ve decided to board up your empty property because you have existing security vulnerabilities in windows, doors, or fragile walls) and report these using a thorough system that prioritises keeping you in the loop.
This offers a more all-encompassing peace of mind, especially if there are areas of concern at multiple entry points. It can also be a reassurance if you’ve had concerns in the past about vandalism prevention in your vacant property, like broken windows or graffiti.
While it’s easy to assume that these are only necessary for much bigger vacant properties (construction sites or disused buildings, for instance), they’re also equally valuable for smaller premises. This also applies to office buildings and commercial sites, particularly during extended closures such as renovations or holidays.
Perhaps self-explanatory, but opting for a key holding service will mean that a copy of your property’s keys is kept in a secure, undisclosed location off-site. This not only ensures that you’ve always got access to your premises as and when you need it, but it also means that the keys can be used in the event of an emergency.
This extends to include any disturbances or break-ins, as well as the first sign of trespassing or anything that could further compromise your unoccupied property’s security, such as illegal squatting, criminal damage, or fly-tipping.
We’re able to deploy expertly trained operatives at a moment’s notice, with an average response time of just 30 minutes across the UK. This ensures that not only are all alerts responded to promptly, but that you’ll always have experts on standby should the worst happen.
It’s an integral part of the key holding and alarm response package we’re able to offer for vacant property security. You can rest easy in the knowledge that, regardless of when an intrusion happens, our trained operatives can provide a swift and effective response.
You’ll also be able to couple this key-holding service with a lock and unlock package, which, should your site become occupied again, will mean that none of your staff will need to shoulder the responsibility of opening the property each morning or securing the property again in the evening.
Your site’s perimeter is arguably one of the most important aspects when it comes to keeping your empty property secure. It offers the first line of defence against any unwanted visitors, and without effective measures in place, you run the risk of criminals exploiting any vulnerabilities.
Good perimeter security is an absolute necessity in keeping a vacant property secure, and by opting to strengthen your existing defences (or install entirely new measures), you’ll be in a much better position to deter criminals at that first hurdle and protect your property far before anything can occur. It synergises perfectly with more physical empty property security, too, like manned guarding or mobile patrols.
It’s also a crucial consideration if you’re planning to sell your assets or looking to use it as a site for potential development, such as housing or public services. These areas will inevitably be checked as part of a health and safety inspection, and choosing to secure your empty property effectively now eliminates headaches further down the line.
On the topic of perimeter security, we also recommend checking the insurance policies you have in place. Many policy providers, including those offering specific insurance for vacant properties, will have specific clauses regarding the reinforcements you need to provide, such as letterbox blocking to help prevent damage from fireworks or hazardous chemicals.
An intelligent addition to any vacant property or premises, installing an access control system allows you to better monitor the flow of guests and attendees, as well as receive an immediate alert of any unauthorised access attempts.
Most recognisable as barriers and bollards, controlling access to your unoccupied property can take multiple forms, all of which can massively assist in limiting the amount of unauthorised traffic that enters your property.
Barriers have their place on vacant premises as well. These are strongly advised when you require vehicular access to the site, as they can be raised and lowered as needed – we’ve seen this across vacant industrial sites, for instance. They’re also an essential consideration if you’re looking at how to secure a vacant property with the intention of selling or converting it into an active site.
Access control also conveys the right message to any possible investors. If you’re taking the time to invest so thoughtfully in your vacant property security, it’s clear that you’re passionate about what you’re doing and what the premises means to you.
An essential part of securing an empty property encompasses one of the most common hazards for any property – fire. Having a comprehensive fire safety plan in place is vital and offers an additional layer of security for your vacant property, beyond protecting it from trespassers.
There’s also a legal obligation of any property owner or proprietor to have a fire safety plan in place, regardless of whether or not the property is occupied regularly. According to the latest governmental guidelines, this extends to:
Vacant properties are perhaps even more in need of this than others in a similar vein, especially as the threat of trespassers and vandals brings with it the risk of arson and deliberate fire starting.
While canine operatives may seem a daunting prospect at first, they’ve been proven to add a level of safety to any robust package for securing a vacant property. They’re one of the largest deterrents in the security market and provide a supportive and effective presence alongside their expertly trained handlers.
That’s further supplemented by canines and handlers with specialist detection capabilities – crucial if you’re looking to secure an empty property that’s had a history with illegal or illicit activities. We’re able to provide dogs and handlers who have expertise in finding:
Naturally, canine patrols work in tandem with other security solutions, particularly a strong and large-scale CCTV system, and can offer that additional degree of protection and security for your vacant property.
While it’s fine to leave your property while you’re on holiday or otherwise occupied, there can be issues that arise in that scenario if your premises are left for a longer period of time or during times of inclement weather.
These concerns range from those that could worsen if left (such as damp, mildew, or mould) to more serious issues, including broken plumbing, loose flooring, faulty wiring, or ingress from invasive plants or weeds. There are also more site-specific concerns, such as dampened construction materials or chemical spillages.
We’ve seen this most often with those who are looking to secure an empty property with the ultimate goal of converting it later on – it’s an easy way to identify issues now before they become more significant.
It ought to go without saying that any time you plan to leave your property vacant, you should ensure that all of your doors, windows, and access points are locked and secured. It may seem basic, but it’s something many people neglect.
According to the latest statistics, 34% of all burglaries happen with criminals gaining access through an unsecured front door, with more still finding entry through an unlocked or open window.
It’s a sad reality that this is how the bulk of breaking and entering happens, and without careful attention to your security at a vacant property, you could find yourself becoming part of that statistic.
Our advice would always be to ensure that every potential way of entering your property (whether it be doors, windows, skylights, cellar access, or otherwise) is completely locked and inaccessible from the outside.
We’ll design and implement a comprehensive security solution tailored to your unoccupied premises, taking into account the property’s size and scope, any external factors, and the budget allocated for the project.
This can range from a simple yet regular patrol of your property by one of our expertly trained, SIA-licensed professionals to a full complement of canine handlers, security officers and a suite of CCTV cameras.
Contact us, and we’d be more than happy to provide you with a free, no-obligation quote, as well as discuss your vacant property security needs in detail to determine what’s right for you.
