If you are looking for a new tenant for your property, working abroad for a prolonged period, or simply going on holiday, leaving a property vacant means that certain security precautions will be required.

No matter how long your property is going to be empty for, these top tips will help you protect it from burglary, vandalism, fire, and a range of other expensive and disastrous incidents.

1. Secure all windows and doors

Before going away on holiday take care to make sure that all your windows and doors are fully locked.

Locking alone will be sufficient for a short-break but if you expect the property to be vacant for a prolonged period, consider adding an additional level of security by installing boards or screens.

Timber boarding is the most cost-effective way to do this, especially following a fire, although for maximum security over a medium-long period of inoccupation steel may be a better option.

2. Check the boundary

If you are looking to protect a large industrial site, or your property is in a rural and secluded location, a boundary fence is a good way to keep potential intruders a long way away from your property.

High, secure fences act as a major deterrent to criminals and will be the first line of defence faced by anyone attempting to gain access.

For this reason, you should check that any boundary fence is in good working order before leaving the property, and have a trusted individual check in on a regular basis to ensure that there haven’t been any security breaches or storm damage.

3. Secure any outbuildings

Garages, sheds, and other outbuildings are just as susceptible to crime as the main property on your land so ensure that these are also securely locked.

Use heavy duty padlocks and consider moving any extremely high value items to a more secure location.

4. Talk to your neighbours

Having a good relationship with your neighbours is a fantastic completely free way to increase security on your site.

If you are going away on holiday for a few weeks ask a trusted neighbour to nip in every now and then to check that everything is as it should be and to give the impression of activity to potential intruders.

Neighbours may also be likely to spot any suspicious activity at the front of your property and report break-ins to the police.

5. Hide valuable items

Many opportunistic criminals will make a swift decision on whether or not to target a certain property based on a quick glance through a window.

It is easy to forget just how many valuable items can be seen through your windows but by having a quick look before you leave and moving as many as possible out of view you will make your property a much less attractive target.

6. Install an Intruder Alarm

Intruder alarms act as an active deterrent to intruders. Should the motion detectors identify an intruder on your site your alarm will sound a loud audio warning that will alert those nearby and hopefully scare away the culprit.

For maximum security, consider investing in a monitored alarm system where a team of security staff and the police will respond in real-tie to any alarm activations.

7. Install CCTV

CCTV is a criminal’s worst nightmare and a vacant property owner’s best friend. Not only will many potential intruders be deterred by the sight of CCTV cameras or signs indicating their existence but the footage can also be used by the police to identify those responsible should an incident occur.

Through the joys of modern technology, you will also be able to access your cameras from anywhere using a mobile device, giving you peace of mind that all is well.

8. Light it up

Install timer lights within your property to mimic ongoing activity and give the appearance that someone is home even when they aren’t.

You should also fit motion sensor lights on the exterior of the property. These lights will illuminate intruders as they approach, giving them a shock and alerting those nearby to their presence.

9. Utilise Smart technology

Besides accessing your CCTV via your mobile phone there are many other smart security items that you can take advantage of.

It is now possible to purchase lighting, alarms, access control technologies, and CCTV that can all be controlled remotely, giving you full control over your property’s security no matter where you are in the world.

10. Consult a professional

Professional security firms will deal with vacant properties on a regular basis.

If you want to maximise your security, make sure to consult with an expert at V360 before leaving your site unoccupied and work together to develop an effective plan.