Looking after empty buildings you answer for
Buildings stand empty for many reasons, and whoever is responsible for one may be far away and answerable to an owner, a beneficiary or an insurer. For what the service includes, see vacant property security.
Who this helps
- Commercial landlords between tenants
- Letting and managing agents
- Executors and solicitors dealing with an estate
- Asset managers and receivers
- Businesses that have moved out of a building
What you will need to show
- That the building was checked, and when
- What was found on each visit
- What action was taken
- Who held the keys
The visit records are built to answer those four questions.
Ways to reduce the risk at handover
- Read your insurance conditions before the building empties, not afterwards
- Tell your insurer it is becoming unoccupied
- Consider services such as water and heating, with professional advice
- Remove waste and anything that could attract attention
- Collect all keys and fobs
Services often used
Questions owners and agents ask
I live elsewhere. Can you manage this without me being there?
Yes. Send us the address, the keys and the name of whoever can authorise work. After that, you receive a dated record of each visit and a prompt report if something needs action.
Who should the reports go to?
Whoever needs them: you, an agent, a solicitor, an insurer. Tell us at the start, and we keep the list up to date.
Talk to us about your site
Call us, or send the site address and a few details. Asking for a quote does not commit you to anything.