If you’ve found yourself with a vacant property on your hands, then you’ll already know that proper maintenance is crucial for protecting the value of your asset.
From preventing crime and squatting, to protecting your property from mould, pests, and weather damage – good empty property management could save you heaps of time and money in the long run. Whether your property is going to be empty for a couple of weeks, months, or more, ensuring that the entire building is well maintained will make it far easier to re-lease or sell when you find your next tenant or use for the space.
When it comes to empty property management, we recommend our zero-cost property guardian protection service for 24-hours a day, 7 days a week on-site security. With flexible contracts and easy hand back, the property guardian scheme helps protect vacant properties while giving back to local communities. At Blue Door, we can help move a team of professional guardians on-site who will make regular patrols and maintenance checks as part of their duty to protect your asset. Plus, with property guardians, your property is never actually vacant meaning you can cross off almost half of our maintenance checklist before you’ve even started. You can learn more about our community-focused, vacant property protection service here.
If your property is going to be fully vacant for any length of time, our 25-point maintenance checklist lists every task you should complete before locking up and leaving your property. Curated by our team of Blue Door Property experts, this list covers everything needed to maintain, secure, and protect your vacant building.
25-Point Maintenance Checklist for Vacant Property
Preparation
1. Create a security plan to protect your vacant property (we recommend on-site property guardians)
2. Schedule regular inspections and maintenance checks
3. Inform your insurer and arrange the appropriate vacant property insurance
4. Redirect post to avoid piles of mail which could alert people that your property is vacant
5. Inform local police and fire service departments that your property will be vacant
6. Assign keyholders and account for all keys
Exterior
7. Repair any damaged windows, doors, or entry points
8. Secure all entrances with locks, chains, and screens if necessary
9. Secure/mend the perimeter of your property with fencing if applicable
10. Repair any cracks or crevices to prevent mould, water damage, and pests from accessing your vacant property
11. Thoroughly inspect the roof for any damage or displacements that could lead to water ingress
12. Clear the gutters and remove any blockages that could cause leaks
13. Trim any overgrown or overhanging trees that could damage the property
14. Seal any letterboxes to avoid piles of post alerting passers-by that the property is empty
15. Install/check external floodlights to deter criminals
16. Remove any external refuse or rubbish which could attract fly-tippers or become a fire risk
Interior
17. Set up interior lighting on timer switches to give the appearance that someone is home
18. Remove any unnecessary furniture that could prevent proper airflow, encourage squatters, or become a fire risk
19. Remove any rubbish or flammable materials
20. Sweep any chimneys (if applicable) to prevent nesting and debris
21. Check or install a carbon monoxide alarm
22. Check or install a smoke alarm
23. Check or install a sprinkler system and fire extinguishers
Utilities
24. Disconnect any non-essential services (in the winter, we recommend running the central heating at a consistently low temperature to prevent mould)
25. Drain water pipes where possible and check insulation to prevent freezing
How Can Blue Door Property Guardians Help?
The property guardian scheme is a fantastic alternative vacant property protection method for landlords and property managers who don’t have the time or resources to keep up with a maintenance checklist.
At Blue Door Property Guardians, we offer an effective empty property management solution that targets both maintenance and security concerns. By opting to use a property guardian scheme, your property and assets are looked after 24/7, 365 days a year with regular maintenance patrols, reports, and on-site protection.
With on-site guardians to deter criminals, squatters, and fly-tippers, our clients benefit from a full, personalised alternative security system at zero cost. Plus, at Blue Door, we offer flexible contracts and a 30-day hand back guarantee making it easy for you to keep your vacant property safe in the interim period between tenants or uses.
You can find out more about how the scheme works here, the savings you can make here, and how it could help your business here. Or, if you would like to chat to a member of the team, they’ll be happy to answer any queries you have about how Blue Door Property Guardians could help protect your vacant property.
