Vacant Property
Regular inspections help retain the value of your estate.
Namib Security vacant property security services combine people and technology to give traceable property inspection solutions you that your insurers can rely on.
Naturally, void properties lack any form of deterrent and can even begin advertising themselves as vacant to criminals. Lights off, overgrown vegetations, litter and a bulging letter box are what thieves and vandals look for when targeting properties.
Leaving a vacant property unattended can leave a site at risk of illegal occupancy, theft, vandalism, utility failure, pest and rodent infestation. It is not economically viable to have a 24/7 security officer property guarding.
It is now mandatory that security checks or inspections are carried out to ensure the building comply with insurance regulations. Vacant property may be seen as easy targets by thieves, vandals, arsonists, squatters or youths. We can help secure your vacant or empty property and avoid expensive clean up bills.
VPI or Vacant Property Inspection
Every vacant property is different, and businesses have different inspection requirements for each property. The following lists some of those things we have been asked to check when doing property inspections. Some are for every visit, others occasionally and others are seldomly required. While we always check those things on the inspection schedule our patrol officers will also report anything else they see out of the ordinary which isn’t on the to-do list.
Risks to properties being left empty
Falling behind on essential maintenance When properties are left vacant, small issues can develop into more serious ones simply because they go unnoticed. Problems often develop slower over time such as leaks, electrical faults and infestations.
Risk of vandalism and lack of security at the abandoned property The longer a property is left vacant, the more chance you have of the property falling victim to vandals and criminals. Quite possibly the biggest deterrent to these undesirable visitors is the knowledge that a property is patrolled or monitored and thus that they will likely be caught.
Squatters Quite possible a landlord’s worst nightmare is the risk of squatters entering the property. Squatters too will look for signs that a property is unoccupied. Regular vacant prop inspections from Namib Security specialist can all help to reduce these risks and identify hazards.
Benefits Of Our Vacant Property Inspections
Custom Site Surveys Our team will conduct a detailed site survey where we ask what you need to manage your building and explain how we can deliver it. Whether you require meter readings, water damage checks, photo reports or more, we can help.
Accredited officers Uniformed SIA-licensed officers provide increased visibility to deter criminals. Each officer is trained to check for security risks whilst addressing whatever facilities management tasks your vacant property check requires.
Easy Management Book vacant property services from across your portfolio without picking up the phone or sending an email.
Flexibility Scale and manage your vacant property checks through the Smart Security Platform, ensuring your security provision works for you.
Protect your Property Vacant properties can be vulnerable to crime. Ensure your property is protected from squatters and vandals with regular inspections and patrols.
Comply with Insurance Your insurance may be affected if your property is left vacant for prolonged period. Ensure you comply with insurance requirement with regular inspections.
Detect Structural Issues Regular inspections of your vacant property can help to detect any structural issues before they cause to much damage.
Save Time on Inspections Carrying out inspections can be time consuming, especially if you’re managing multiple properties. Let Namib Security handle your property inspections on your behalf.
Regular Reports When you choose our vacant property protection services, our team will weekly/monthly reports to keep you in the loop about security incidents or needed repairs.
Why use Vacant Property Inspections
Guarding a vacant property full time using a Static guard, may not be affordable or necessary. Namib Security provide tailor made solutions to empty property inspections services utilising our security experience and resources.
Mobile Patrols
Namib Security mobile patrol service provides some real benefits to void property inspections at extremely lower cost. It’s ideal for vacant properties that are at a lower risk. Our uniformed patrol officers drive past the vacant property in our fully liveried vehicles at regular intervals, assessing risks and identifying security breaches. However, for added peace of mind, they are also on call as to when required.
Clients choosing this service take comfort in knowing their vacant property is regularly checked and that they also receive reports on a regular basis. For those looking for additional support, we also provide access visits and Keyholding service we can also support the client with our Manned guarding if Mobile patrols are not an option and Mobile CCTV towers.
Utilising Technology
Namib Security uses the latest innovation to ensure our inspection service is both comprehensive and fully transparent. Namib inspectors carry out their inspections using NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled devices to track exactly where the inspector has been within the site.
The installation of Geo tags throughout the property provide proof of presence at specific points, such as meter boxes or items of particular value. Each inspection is time stamped, something many insurers request, and a full set of time stamped photos are also available. The Namib inspector is unable to complete an inspection without touching the device on each Geot-tag which means corners cannot be cut.
Opportunistic criminals are deterred by clear signs of security activity on a vacant property. They prefer to target those properties which are clearly not monitored or protected. The Namib Security signage, the regular presence of a liveried guard and vehicle is often enough to send them looking elsewhere for an easy target.
Robust Effective Inspections
Each of our inspections involves a comprehensive site review as specified by you. This can include inspections of the: site perimeter, external buildings, internal buildings and services. We will also carry out meter readings if you would like us to. Namib Inspections Review Team then assess each inspection report and will immediately inform you of anything requiring attention.
Predicting when someone will target a business premises is impossible. To ensure your business property is as safe as possible, our inspection visits can be at random times but specifically targeting those periods when crime is most likely.
The inspection teams will regularly visit your premises:
- Check that protective measures are functioning
- The building is in good order
- Your property has not fallen victim to squatters or vandals
- Checking of all access points doors and windows
- Water leaks and damage
- Check for fire and electrical hazards
- Do meter readings to detect utility irregularities
- Look for evidence of vandalism and graffiti
- Check general condition of interior and exterior
Mobile Patrol Officers
All of our security staff mobile and static follow exacting procedures and protocols to enable them to carry out their work to the best possible standard. As an Approved Safe Contractor, we take the security and safety of our customers property very seriously.
Our commitment to delivering a high standard of security with outstanding customer service has also seen us awarded other security accreditations. Find out what these mean for your business.
The benefits of maintaining and securing your vacant property:
- Well secured, protected and maintained vacant properties will be less damaging to the local community, attract less vandalism, arson and theft, and be better prepared for re-occupancy or resale
- Well maintained and secure properties promote better neighbourhoods and maintain their values
- Well maintained and secure properties are lower insurance risk
Vacant Property Security
Why secure empty property?
- Well secured, protected and maintained vacant properties will be less damaging to the local community, attract less vandalism, arson and theft, and be better prepared for re-occupancy or resale.
- Well maintained and secure empty properties promote better neighbourhoods and maintain their value.
- Well maintained and secure empty properties are lower insurance risks.
Solutions to protect, monitor and maintain your assets
From the latest alarms to innovative steel products or full-time guards, we offer world-class protection to keep vacant buildings safe from trespassers or vandals. In addition to our security services we also undertake risk assessments, manage services shutdown and cleaning before a building goes back on the market.
When a property is vacant, it can become an easy target for unauthorised visitors such as vandals and trespassers, often resulting in costly repairs and much frustration. By securing a property utilising simple deterrents such as steel security and innovative technological solutions, you can cost effectively protect, manage and monitor your valuable assets.
Vacant Property FAQ
A site inspection is a series of regular check-ups and verification processes to ensure safety standards and working conditions are met at a work site. The traditional method of conducting site inspections involves field visits and paper checklists.
Vacant property inspections help ensure that any property management issues such as water leaks, appearance of mould/damp, broken fence panels are dealt with promptly.
Generally, there are no set-rules in place that state how long you can leave your unoccupied property vacant for. However, it is important to note that most standard insurance providers will only cover an empty property for 30 to 60 days.
It is estimated that millions of pounds worth of damage is done to empty properties through vandalism and arson in the UK. We use our expertise and technology by combining our Mobile Patrols, Keyholding Lock & Unlock, Mobile CCTV Towers and Manned Guards to secure, deter, monitor and protect your empty building.
Get in touch with one of our experts for a free quote and risk assessment to strengthen your premises security.