Don’t neglect vacant property security
EMPTY PROPERTIES ARE FINANCIALLY ATTRACTIVE TO ‘ASSET STRIPPERS’, WHILE ‘SQUATTERS’ SEE IT AS A SAFE HAVEN SO DON’T LET YOUR VACANT PROPERTY BECOME AN EASY TARGET. SECURITY IS KEY TO AVOIDING UNDUE STRESS AND FINANCIAL BURDENS TO REPAIR AND EVICT.
Now, we are not in the art of vacant property security (VPS) but we have seen a few assets in trouble when we haven’t been able to work within it because someone else has taken over it. So if you’re conscious of your time and money, read on to find out the trending reasons for Vacant Property Security.
MORE HOMELESS
You may or may not notice it but homelessness is on the rise. Government audited nearly 5k people were classed as homeless and slept rough in England last year… an increase of 15% since 2016.
Whatever the homelessness reason, hard times lead to desperate measures especially during the winter months when vacant properties are seeking out for short-term shelter.
It’s very possible for a homeless person to try and claim a property as a squatter and the red tape for evicting a squatter from your vacant property can be an expensive and time consuming one,
especially for vacant commercial properties who don’t have the same legal protection as vacant domestic properties. Like that wasn’t enough, damage to the property through squatters is potentially high. With no care to your property, you could be left a pile of damages to bear as well as the added stress of ensuring your property is safe despite the squatter’s unlawful occupancy… all because you have a duty of care as the landlord.
OUR POLICE FORCE IS DOWNSIZING
Our foot soldiers have decreased in numbers. With less and fewer Bills patrolling our streets, our assets are exposed to threats and it doesn’t help to see a reported 40% drop too in the Police
Community Support Officers too. Venerable properties are leaving landlords hefty financial costs caused through vandalism and arson. In fact, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) states that arson is responsible for more than 50% of attacks, especially to commercial and industrial properties.
ASSET STRIPPERS
We have noticed that an attack by asset strippers can leave a vacant property without security at a great deal of risk, especially when a theft has taken place to the roof exposing the property to all sorts of weather conditions and pests. So it’s not just about losing the metal fixtures and fittings, it’s about fixing the problems the asset strippers have caused too. If that’s got you thinking, then crack on with getting your property secured. Here are a few of our favorite Vacant Property Security service (VPS) providers to get you started:
