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Boarding up your property when it becomes vacant is an important aspect of the security process since it protects your investment from squatters, thieves and vandals.
‘Boarding up’ refers to the procedure of using plywood or steel sheets to cover all of a building’s openings, such as windows, doors, and skylights.
Squatting isn’t illegal in commercial properties, this is why it’s so important for owners to vamp up their vacant property security.
Theft alone is predicted to cost the UK economy over £700 million per year, according to reports. With vacant properties being prominent targets for theft and other criminal activity, boarding up considerably helps counteract this.
If you have a residential or commercial vacant property, here are the benefits of boarding up…
Avoid And Prevent Unwanted Access
Boarding up your vacant property reduces the risks of squatters and fly-tipping for example, and you’re making the process easier if you’re looking to sell the vacant property..
When a property is left unoccupied for an extended period of time, the following factors might cause damage:
- Arson or faulty electrical equipment might trigger a fire.
- Vandalism, which includes malicious destruction and graffiti
- Theft, such as causing property damage while gaining entry or stealing construction supplies and goods
- General deterioration, possibly as a result of negligence, induced by extreme weather or water incursion.
This is because when a property is abandoned, it can become an easy target for uninvited visitors like vandals and trespassers, resulting in costly repairs and a lot of frustration. A well-maintained and secure vacant property has a lesser insurance risk.
Boarding up your vacant property is an effective way to secure, maintain, and monitor your important assets.
Boarding Up For Insurance Purposes
Landlords and managing agents must meet the criteria of their insurers, ensuring that they are still protected whatever the circumstances, therefore boarding up is an important and beneficial step in the process.
Most typical property insurance policies will not cover properties that have been vacant for more than 30 days, but it’s crucial to read your policy carefully because restrictions differ by provider.
Despite not being essential for insurance purposes, it’s becoming a best practice for many property owners to also pay for steel security to further protect their assets as well.
Even with the additional costs, when you compare it with the price of removing squatters, typically starting at £5,000 for the legal fees alone, it can be money well spent to further protect your property.
Boarding Up With Steel: Improving Your Security
Steel sheets or plywood boards are the two most common solutions for boarding up a structure.
Despite the fact that plywood boards are marginally cheaper, steel is the only long-term choice for protecting your abandoned property.
Boarding up with steel improves your vacant property security. This is because wood warps and delaminates over time, making it easier for burglars to get access. Furthermore, arsonists can start fires with wooden boards as fuel, which is typically not covered by vacant property insurance.
Steel solves these problems and will provide you with benefits in the long run for your abandoned property.
Conclusion
To summarise, the benefits of boarding up your vacant property are:
- Avoiding unwanted access and potentially costly damages
- A very happy insurance company
- Steel can provide maximum security
To find out more about boarding up your vacant property, speak to security experts before undertaking any security solutions.
