If your property needs to stand vacant for a while, you probably already have a long list of things to do, like securing your property against fire, vandalism, theft, and squatting. There may also be bills to pay, like monitoring, maintenance, and vacant property business rates. (Of course, if you’ve arranged property guardians for the vacant period, you can rest easy on both of these counts!)

Understandably, insurance may be the last thing on your mind if you’re in the process of vacating a property, and that can be fine. If your building is only empty for a couple of weeks, you probably don’t need to start digging out your insurance premium to read the fine print. However, if your property is vacant for a month or more, that’s when you need to double check what cover you will have in the event of a burglary, fire or other damage.

Whether you’re a residential or commercial property owner, it may not be convenient or possible to keep your building occupied at all times. Now and again, your property may stand vacant for a spell. Whether you’re between tenants, or looking to sell, a vacant property usually entails expense and hassle. Empty buildings are more likely to be targeted for theft, vandalism and squatting, so if you haven’t taken steps to deter these threats, security will be a top concern.

Hiring a private security company can be expensive even for a day or two, and costs can sky-rocket over longer periods. But don’t worry. Here are our top tips for securing your vacant property.