Property inspections for vacant premises

APRIL 2020 PROPERTY INSPECTIONS FOR VACANT PREMISES

Have you been affected by the coronavirus pandemic? Perhaps your office or factory staff have been furloughed and your premises are now vacant. Are you sure you are complying with your insurance correctly if the building is vacant for a long period? To meet your due diligence obligations, regular property inspections can be the perfect solution you are looking for. The frequency and detail of the inspection can be tailor made to suit the particular standards your insurance company demands.

GMC are experts in understanding what vacant properties require both in terms of maintaining property values and complying with insurance requirements. In these challenging and unpredictable times compliance with your building’s insurance requirements may not be a top priority, but here’s why it should be.

 

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Understand insurance requirements
Whether you’re a facilities manager who specialises in vacant properties, or due to the coronavirus pandemic are suddenly faced with an unoccupied property, it’s essential that you comply with the requirements set by your insurance company. A landlord’s statutory obligations will remain the same as when the building is in full use, so the property should be looked after with the same level of care. As an example, to meet your due diligence, you may still be required to have regular checks of fire alarms and emergency lighting.

Vacant properties have a number of areas where risks can increase, and your insurance company will most likely have set standards to mitigate these risks. At GMC we’re able to organise the appropriate work needed to meet these insurance requirements. This could be regular property inspections to check the property remains secure, attending properties to test the water quality or to provide a Legionella report. Your insurance may insist the building is drained down or that the heating system is on to a specified temperature to avoid burst pipes. Property inspections can be as basic or as in depth as your particular insurance company requires. They will be accompanied with a detailed written report and photographs. The frequency and content of the inspection can be tailor made to suit the particular standards your insurance company demands.

 

Know where the risks lie
Issues such as damp or mould that would be easily noticed in an occupied property can become costly problems if they go undetected. We always recommend precautionary measures are taken when it comes to property maintenance, particularly in older properties that are more susceptible to issues. Having an extensive network of professional trades throughout the UK allows GMC to arrange regular inspections wherever your property may be located.

 

Prevention is better than cure

In all areas of property maintenance our ethos is that prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to unoccupied properties. Our knowledge of vacant property care is vast, as are the property maintenance services we offer. In addition to nationwide property inspections, we can also provide boarding up, locksmiths, plumbers etc to cope with any sudden emergencies.

If you would like to know more about how GMC can help you care for your property portfolio please get in touch with one of the team today on 01903 721020