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