Problems With An Empty Property

Issues with a vacant property include:

  • £500m per annum vandalism damage is incurred to vacant property (Aviva Insurance)
  • 18% – the reduction in value of property when adjacent to a vacant (Hometrack)
  • 22,000 – The number of squatters in England with 100,000 incidents per year (Advisory Service for Squatters)
  • Squatting or illegal occupation of non-residential property is NOT a criminal offence
  • Most insurance cover becomes significantly reduced if the property is vacant for more than 30-days
  • £770m per annum metal theft (Metal Theft Taskforce)
  • Landlords have statutory obligations under the Defective Premises Act and Occupiers Liability Act where trespassers can sue landlords should they be injured within a vacant property

Risk Slider