Vacant properties are always vulnerable to threats but there are additional risks during the cold, dark months.

This month, we’re sharing tips to help you avoid the top four additional threats to vacant property during winter. Last week we looked at the threat posed by mould, and discussed ways that you can avoid mould forming and getting out of hand. This week, we’re highlighting another heightened threat during wintertime: crime.

Increased Crime Risk During Winter

If you’ve ever had to pay vacant property insurance, you’ll know that insurance companies consider vacant property to be at increased risk for damage from criminal activities. This risk is even more pronounced during winter. A recent study conducted by a leading insurance company estimates that property-related crime (break-ins, theft, vandalism, squatting) goes up by as much as 36% following the end of daylight savings in October. Shorter days allow opportunists to identify properties to target for criminal acts by approaching under cover of darkness. During winter, lights also come on earlier in occupied properties, highlighting which properties are vacant.

Here are a few things you can do to mitigate the additional risk of crime during winter:

Make it Look Like Someone is Home

Property-related crime tends to be opportunistic—a criminal is likely to target your property if they notice particular vulnerabilities, the most significant of which is the fact that nobody is home. Here are a few ways you avoid your property being identified as unoccupied:

Collect Post

Nothing says ‘nobody’s home’ like an overflowing postbox. You can avoid sending this message by regularly collecting post, or having a friend collect it for you. If long-term closure is on the cards, it makes sense to have your post redirected, but don’t assume that you won’t receive any post. Redirecting your mail won’t stop junk-mail, communications from city councils, or letters addressed to previous tenants who haven’t changed their address.

Maintain the Garden

An overgrown garden can signal that nobody’s home, and also suggests that the property has been left vacant for a while. Avoid the impression of neglect by keeping the garden in decent nick through winter. No need to be out there mowing the lawn every Sunday—a little leaf raking, hedge trimming and weed killing should do the trick.

Install Lighting Timers

If your property is only going to be empty for the winter and your utilities will remain switched on, consider installing timers on your lighting system. Illuminating at least some of the rooms in the evenings will give the impression of occupation.

Lease or Loan Your Parking Space

A car parked outside the property is great way to deter opportunists. If the property includes a parking space or driveway, you could lease it to someone who lives or works nearby and needs parking at that location, potentially creating an additional income stream for the period of closure. Or, you could allow a friend or neighbour to use it for free—bonus points if they agree to collect your post.

Motion-sensor Lighting

Strategically placed motion-sensor lighting reduces the risk of crime by increasing criminals’ risk of getting caught. According to insurance industry research, up to one third of intruders are deterred by motion-sensor lighting, as reported by reformed burglars. So while fancy garden lighting isn’t cheap, the investment could be well-worth the expense if your property is going to be vacant throughout the darker months.

Remove “For Sale” Signs

If you’re in the process of trying to lease or sell a property, it’s understandable that you would want all the advertising you can get, including a For Sale sign to catch the attention of passersby. But during the winter, when criminals are making the most of longer nights to target vacant property, the last thing you want is to signal to passersby that there’s nobody at home. So while removing the sign may mean you lose out on a few inquiries about your property, you will significantly reduce the risk of burglary, arson, vandalism and graffiti, potentially saving you thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.

Up Your Security Game

Ensuring that your property is adequately secured against intruders should be high on your list at any time of year. However, in the winter months, it’s even more important to notice potential vulnerabilities that could make your property an attractive target, and take action to remedy them. Whatever forms of security you have in place—whether it’s locks, gates, alarms or CCTV—take the time to inspect the condition of all fittings and check that everything is in working order. You may also choose to install additional security measures or bring in professional help for extra peace of mind. If this is your first time securing a vacant property, we have a comprehensive article to help you cover all bases.

Keep Your Insurer Informed

If your property is vacant for an extended period, even it it’s just for the winter, it’s a good idea to let your insurer know and discuss the details of your cover. You may need to upgrade to a more expensive insurance premium for the period of closure to cover the additional risk of arson, break-ins, vandalism and other threats posed to vacant properties. Every insurer has a unique approach to vacant property insurance, and specific T&Cs will apply to your circumstances, but you can get the gist of how it works from our blog post about vacant property insurance.

How Blue Door Property Guardians Can Help

To avoid risks to your vacant property over the winter (and at any time of year) consider Blue Door Property Guardians. We offer live-in security for properties in London and throughout the UK at no cost to landlords. Not only do you avoid expensive repairs and insurance claims that could result from a break-in or act of vandalism, but you save everything you would otherwise spend on traditional security measures. To learn more, register your property with us and we’ll give you a call today.