A vacant property invites all sorts of problems if not properly secured. It needs to be well secured with suitable materials and fixtures if you’re to have peace of mind about the overall safety and security of the property—there’s not just the question of discouraging vandalism and trespassing but also fire safety. Let’s look at the reasons why you want to make sure your vacant properties are always adequately secured and the issues you’re likely to face with an empty or unused property.
Risks of an unsecured vacant property
Firstly, there is the obvious risk of various damage to the property by people and pests. Criminal damage and vandalism are big potential issues with an unoccupied property that is readily accessible. Vacant properties are also a larger target for burglary than you might expect, so it’s vital that you board up a vacant property to discourage this kind of targeting.
Empty properties are, naturally, a much greater target for burglary and crime. Studies from the U.S. have shown a relationship between vacant, disused property and overall community crime rates and safety. The Welsh government has also noted the connection between various sorts of crime and the prevalence of vacant properties, such as fly-tipping, vandalism, anti-social behaviour and even drug abuse.
But you don’t just face problems from other human beings—if your property is not properly secured then it also becomes a target for pests of all kinds. Neglected vacant properties are prone to rapid infestations of pests such as rats, cockroaches and fleas, resulting in various issues like structural damage, health hazards due to waste and diseases, potential risks of infection and contamination, and prolonged delays in resale or tenant turnover in the long-term.
Fires are also a huge problem with vacant properties. Whether the fire is deliberately caused by arson attacks through anti-social behaviour, or it’s the result of an accident, it’s something any property owner must prepare for. It’s worth noting that you can be held liable for injury or death that occurs on your vacant property, even if the person in question was trespassing.
In fact, under the Miscellaneous Provisions of the Local Government Act of 1982, you can be ordered by local authorities to board up or otherwise secure your property in an emergency. This is in part a fire safety regulation and the minimum requirements are set out in the Regulatory Reform Order of 2005 on fire safety.
Based on Home Office statistics, the UK witnesses an average of 60 daily fires in unoccupied or derelict properties alone. The effects can be damaging not just for your own property but for neighbours and the wider community, too.
You are responsible for keeping your property safe from fires, so securing your vacant property is essential—but what’s the best material to do it with?
How to secure your vacant property
Why board up empty properties with steel?
There is no question that quality steel sheets are the way to go. You’ll often see vacant properties boarded up with plywood, but for many reasons, this just isn’t good enough. For one thing, plywood naturally creates more fuel for a potential fire. Steel sheets are the best option for securing your property, but not just any old steel—it needs to be the best quality you can get your hands on. Low-quality steel that’s thin and weak, hastily fastened with hex bolts, can be easily removed or broken into.
Galvanised steel is a great option as it is robust, reliable and rust-resistant. Its strength will deter even the most determined of criminals and vandals, while its tough zinc carbonate coating can withstand all the elements without rusting and ruining the aesthetics of the property.
Secure the whole property
It’s not at all uncommon for property owners to simply board up the front entrances of their property on the ground floor and be done with it. Determined vandals and burglars will naturally look for other entrances whether on the back or the side and, in some cases, may even be prepared to scale the property to get in through a first-floor window.
So, you need to secure every single entrance to your property. Every door, window, or other opening that could allow a person in, on every side of the property, needs to be boarded up with steel panels.
Sizing and quality
Without carefully measured and fitted steel sheets, your security is compromised and anyone even remotely determined will be able to access your vacant property with ease. The most important element is that the sheets are of a suitable strength and thickness, and cut to the correct size for the space. You want to be sure that the steel sheet is custom-cut to fit the precise dimensions you need so that it goes right to the edges of any opening. A quality manufacturer will provide steel sheets to size.
The thickness of steel sheets used for boarding up a vacant property can vary a lot; generally, somewhere between 1-2mm thickness will suit the job. You might want to opt for perforated steel sheets if you intend to show prospective buyers or tenants around the property as this will let some light in—however, solid steel panels are more likely to deter squatters.
Fixing the steel sheets
Finally, there’s the question of how the sheets are secured. We touched on the fact that ordinary hex bolts are not remotely secure and can be easily removed with just a spanner. You need special fixings called anti-tamper screws. When properly secured and fitted, these screws are more or less impossible to remove without a unique security bit. With simple plywood hammered in with nails, you have no such peace of mind.
Conclusion
Not only is it in your own best interests to secure your vacant property against criminal damage and theft, but ultimately it’s going to become a legal requirement.
Make sure you find a reputable metal manufacturer to source quality steel sheets that can be cut to size and ensure that your property is protected. Don’t take the chance on anything less.
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