Taking care of vacant properties

Here at GMC we know a thing or two about caring for vacant properties having started life making repossessed properties safe, habitable and suitable for the sales market. This makes us experts in understanding what vacant properties require both in terms of maintaining property values and complying with insurance requirements. In this blog we share our insider advice.

Understand insurance requirements
Whether you’re a facilities manager who specialises in vacant properties, or are suddenly faced with an unexpected unoccupied property it’s essential that you comply with the requirements set by your insurance. A landlord’s statutory obligations remain the same as when the building was in full use, so the property should be looked after with the same level of care.

When a property is unoccupied there are a number of areas in which risks can increase, and the insurance will most likely have standards that help mitigate these risks. Here at GMC we’re able to organise the appropriate work needed to meet these insurance standards. Whether this is regular inspections to check for vandalism, or attending properties to to either drain down the system or turn the heating on to avoid burst pipes.

Know where the risks lie
Issues such as damp or mould that would be easily picked up on in an occupied property can become troublesome if they go unnoticed. We always recommend precautionary measures are taken when it comes to property maintenance, particularly in older properties that are more susceptible to issues. Here at GMC we can arrange regular property inspection visits even if your vacant properties are geographically spread out (just get in touch to get a quote).

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 untenanted properties. For example, pest control is something best dealt with as soon as a problem is spotted. Although this is a given for something like woodworm which is known to cause long-lasting structural damage, it can often be overlooked in cases of fleas or bedbugs if it is not known when the property will next have tenants. However, the longer a problem has to wait to be dealt with the more can spread, and the more costly (and time consuming) it becomes to get rid of. Not something you want to have to deal with if you get an impromptu tenant or need to put a vacant property on the market.

Our knowledge of vacant property care is vast, as are the property maintenance services we offer. 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 on 01903 721020 or email info@genmaint.co.uk.