Vacant property insurance - Why should your empty property be insurance compliant?

Significant evidence exists to confirm that the likelihood of damage to, or injury from an empty property is very high even if the property is only temporarily vacant, such as it would be prior to sale or refurbishment.

In the UK alone there are around 9000 fires each year in empty buildings. In addition, property is damaged, contents or fixtures are stolen and the properties or land are victim to vandalism, fly tipping and illegal occupation by squatters or travellers.

Water damage is a further concern particularly where maintenance and repairs are inadequate.

Property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of third parties entering the premises, whether they are employees, estate agents, surveyors, buyers, tradespeople or trespassers, and even children who decide to use the property as a playground.

According to the likes of Axa and Aviva, both of whom provide specialist insurance for unoccupied properties, when assessing the risk to your particular property (or properties) you will need to consider the following:

Security

• Ensure perimeter fences/gates are in good order
• All doors, windows and any other accessible openings (roof hatches, skylights) are protected and secured
• Replace all locks and account for all keys (insurance requirement)
• An approved intruder alarm is installed, working and maintained
• A mobile security guarding service is in place
• All rubbish and other combustible items, both internally and externally are removed
• Any new rubbish dumped/fly-tipped is regularly removed
• The property’s letterbox is fixed in the closed position
• Existing sprinkler systems should be operational and correctly working
• Existing fire alarm should be in full working order

Regular property inspections provide advanced warning of any vulnerabilities before significant issues arise. A full report will assist the property owner in complying with relevant insurance requirements.

We provide a comprehensive, professional and regular Property Inspection service designed specifically to help ensure your property is, and remains, insurance compliant.