Why Use Steel Security Doors & Security Screens to Protect Your Vacant Property?

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Constructed with box-section steel frames and solid sheet steel, steel security doors are the preferred method that landlords, receivers and property or facilities managers choose to secure vacant buildings.
Built to withstand even the most determined attacks, these robust steel security doors that encase the entire doorframe, prevent unwanted entry to squatters, vandals, arsonists or even opportunist metal thieves. However, as these steel security doors are fitted with high-security deadlocks they do enable authorised access to vacant or empty sites for marketing viewings, site visits or regular vacant property insurance inspections.

To prevent windows being the weak-spots we recommend steel security screens made by securing solid steel sheets with tamper-proof security screws, which many people are surprised to learn cost more or less the same as the less effective plywood or sterling board secured by ordinary cross-head screws which some companies use.
The problem with these, however, is that as anyone with a common screwdriver could confirm, these can be removed in minutes .

Another issue often overlooked when using Ply or other wood materials as security screens is that if you are unlucky enough to attract vandals that are also partial to a bit of arson – these can provide an instant fuel source!
So, if your property is worth protecting isn’t it worth doing it properly using the most effective protection available – steel security doors and steel security screens on the windows?
For more information about Secure Site UK Vacant Property Security services please leave a comment below or use the contact page.

Protection of Unoccupied Buildings – Wood or Steel?

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Vacant properties are vulnerable and at constant risk of malicious damage by vandals, arsonists and thieves – especially cabling at today’s inflated weigh-in prices! Therefore vacant property security is something you will want to consider.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jparmelee/4405637464/

Whilst landlords with vacant property may already be taking steps to minimize the risk, how many would think of contacting their insurance company and let them know? In fact, how many landlords would know that a building is only classed as “unoccupied” if left vacant for more than 28 days? The added risk, therefore, is not informing your insurer and potentially invalidating or prejudicing your insurance cover.

There are a number of mandatory physical security steps, including the obvious of securing the premises against illegal entry: with all windows fastened closed (or immediately boarded up or replaced if broken) and all external doors bolted from the inside, whilst access doors are locked with a 5-level mortise lock or a closed shackle padlock. It is also a requirement that all locks are changed within 7 days of becoming vacant.

If unoccupied for more than 6 months, landlords are required to seal up letterboxes, to prevent mounds of junk mail, flyers or any other combustible items adding to hazard inside. Some insurers may also require you to board up the property if it is likely to be vacant for longer periods. Some might raise an eyebrow that wood is “recommended” to secure a property, being perfect material for any arsonist, particularly as it’s already to hand on site! Further, as wood discolours, deteriorates, warps and eventually rots, it does little to assist in making vacant properties attractive to prospective tenants or purchasers – but ironically, it does make it very attractive to the vandals, arsonists and thieves it was intended to keep out in the first place! At little more than the price of plywood – solid steel sheets, by comparison don’t burn, retain their shape and impenetrable appearance and when secured with specialist security screws – stay put on the windows until the landlord wants them off!  Ask about our perforated steel sheets, which as well as all the benefits of solid sheets, also allow light into vacant properties, so that even without electricity you can conduct viewings and help you sell or let it more quickly.

Guy Ritchie’s House Becomes a Squat

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Occupants who gained entry into an apparently “unlocked” vacant property owned by Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director, Guy Ritchie, posted a Section 6 Notice in the window proclaiming that the Grade 1 listed building was now their home and that they intended to stay there. The Georgian house, spread over 5 stories and believed to be worth over £6 million, was set to be developed into two luxury homes.
However, displaying the legal warning notice (which is part of the Criminal Law Act 1977) in this vacant property protects the rights of occupiers, making it clear that any entry or attempt to enter into the property without their permission is a criminal offence as any one of us who is in physical possession is opposed to entry without our permission. The Section 6 Notice goes on to state that the squatters will prosecute any attempt to enter by violence or by threatening violence, which may result in a sentence of up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
To make matters worse, the group, calling themselves the Really Free School intended running a free school with classes covering squatters’ rights.
What may come as a surprise to many people is that squatting is not a crime: it’s unlawful, but not illegal, meaning it is a dispute between the landlord and the occupiers.
So, how did Mr. Ritchie regain possession of his house? He would have had to wait until all the squatters had left the house unoccupied, or go down the legal route and apply to the courts for a possession order. Any other method would probably have been illegal – so sending in characters resembling the cast of one of his films – would definitely not be advised! Nearly all squats are evicted after a possession order has been made by a court – which was granted in this case because the squatters’ presence meant work couldn’t proceed on his development of the property.

Image source: www.themoviedb.org/ - Courtesey of Google Images

As vacant property security specialists, what advice would Secure Site UK give to Mr. Richie? Well, the most obvious is to make sure it is properly locked and secured at all times, because occupants gaining entry as a result of a break-in will be immediately removed and prosecuted. Particularly if it’s a long-term development, landlords and developers could consider either putting security screens over vulnerable windows and security access doors, to prevent unwanted prowlers; or installing a temporary vacant property alarm – giving them an immediate alert to an unexpected intruders – therefore protecting expensive plant and machinery, as well as the much sought-after copper in the miles of cabling running through today’s new developments.

Secure Site’s vacant property alarm spoils rave!

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Revellers intent on seeing in the New Year were sorely disappointed and surprised when they arrived to find the East London venue boarded up!
The organizers, well, more accurately a group of illegal trespassers, had spotted the opportunity of a large house that had been vacant for some time and therefore ideal for a party, as clearing up afterwards would not be a priority! So, word spread about the venue and by all accounts hundreds were planning their weekend at the large vacant property. It was going to be an “open house” event. In fact, if the venue proved that good – some had planned to claim squatters’ rights after 72 hours by posting a Section 5 Notice on the front door – and extend their stay and partying for up to 3 months!
However, unbeknown to the illegal intruders, their entry through an apparently and very conveniently open door(!) had triggered the PIRs of Secure Site’s temporary vacant property alarm, Void Alarm™, immediately and silently alerting a mobile patrol unit to the site.
Arriving within just 30 minutes of the alert resulted in the trespassers being caught on the premises and the Police being called. Their subsequent arrest resulted in them seeing in the New Year in a far more somber way in a local Police cell – but at least they were saved a hangover! The property has since been secured properly – in sheet steel – putting an end to any future party!
For the landlord, the foresight to install Secure Site’s vacant property alarm, saved him far more of a headache – including damage to his property, the frustrating process of getting squatters evicted and the vast costs that usually go with this, as well as the usual 12-16 weeks it can take.
Vacant property is always seen as an easy target – and despite insurers’ requirements to have empty properties inspected on a weekly basis – many landlords ignore this and simply hope for the best. Acting as an early warning system, Secure Site’s Void Alarm™ is secured within the property and inconspicuously monitors any movement detected by PIRs placed across access points. As the alarm system is self-powered it doesn’t need hard wiring or mains electricity supply, and being wireless the PIRs can often be concealed yet still communicate with the control box. Being a temporary system, it can be fitted and secured in place, the next day, by our trained installers and can only be removed when instructed by the landlord.
Using GSM communication, any trigger or activation sends a text to the alarm receiving centre and a patrol is immediately dispatched to site and the incident dealt with. It should really be an essential part of every landlord’s defense against illegal intruders and squatters – unless you don’t mind letting one of your properties become the venue for the next big rave!