How to manage vacant properties with confidence

How to manage vacant properties with confidence

In June this year,  new research shed light on just how many long term vacant properties there are in England. The analysis, conducted by Open Property Group, found more than 50,000 properties are sitting empty for an extended period, earning them the moniker of ‘zombie homes’.

The figure is much higher when you also include properties that are left unoccupied on a short-term basis. In fact, the most recent Government figures confirm there are almost 700,000 empty and unfurnished homes in England alone.

While there is much focus on how these vacant homes can be brought back into the property fold, there is very little discussion surrounding the pitfalls of owning or managing an empty property.

As the vacant property experts, Viewber realises there are several reasons why a property may be empty. A lack of residents doesn’t mean the property has been abandoned completely – it could still be a cherished home that isn’t used on a full-time basis or is in the midst of a legal change of hands.

13 reasons a property could be vacant

1.     A holiday home that’s used seasonally
2.     A buy-to-let that is in a void period
3.     A ‘buy-to-leave’ property bought by an international investor
4.     A family home left empty while the owner goes travelling
5.     A property where the resident has gone into hospital or care
6.     An home being refurbished
7.     A new build – fully or partially complete
8.     A probate property held in an estate
9.     An uninhabitable home in state of disrepair
10. A completed property sale with a delayed move-in date
11. A home subject to a compulsory purchase order
12. A property subject to an Empty Dwelling Management Order
13. A home that has been repossessed

Although the above list contains a diverse array of reasons explaining the vacant property status, there is a crucial element that unites them all: effective management, especially as unoccupied homes are considered high risk. By their very nature, vacant properties usually mean the owner – whether they’re a resident, a landlord, a social housing provider or a property manager working on someone’s behalf – is not in the local vicinity.

This makes managing empty homes difficult because of sheer distance – a landlord checking property isn’t always possible as they may be out of the area or even out of the country. Left unattended, however, all sorts of problems and issues can develop. These can include:

• Fire
• Flood
• Burglary & theft
• Breaking & entering
• Squatting
• Vandalism
• Dilapidation & damage

Giving access to regular inspections can stop small niggles spiralling into a more costly catastrophe. A loose roof tile can be spotted and fixed before winter storms arrive and lead to major water ingress. A routine black mould inspection will flag up the possibility of deeper damp issues. A broken window pane can be reported, removing the invitation to illegally enter the property.

Insurance warning

Those assuming taking out a specialist unoccupied home insurance policy  – which usually covers periods of absence of 30 days or more – is enough should think again.

What policy holders don’t always realise is most unoccupied home insurance is only valid if the vacant property is inspected on a regular basis. Failure to have someone visit the property as prescribed by the insurer will lead to damage claims being refused.

The policy small print may also require someone to regularly visit the property to remove mail, keep front and rear gardens tidy, and keep the building in a good state of repair – aspects that make a property look lived in and reduce the risk of break-ins.

Managing vacant properties is made easy when partnering with Viewber. We have developed a variety of key management and access options that gives trades, emergency services and property managers ready access.

4 ways Viewber will help you manage vacant properties with confidence

1. Key Holding: our Key Holder Viewbers  can hold the keys to a property indefinitely, providing the owner with continuity. All of our Key Holders are vetted and have been DBS checked. They can visit the property personally to undertake inspections or meet trades/third parties at the home, granting access and locking up after. They also offer a ‘sit and wait’ service if the owner would prefer for the property to be occupied during a visit.
2. Key Safes: Viewber has a network of key safe installers that can install a safe within seven days of an order. They will choose a discreet and hidden location for the key safe and provide a guarantee for their work. Viewber offers three different key safe models, including combination, keypad and Bluetooth PIN entry systems.
3. KeyNest: for an alternative to a key safe, Viewber has partnered with KeyNest. Each of its UK-wide network of vetted shops – usually a newsagent, convenience store or petrol station – has a KeyNest safe inside, where keys are securely and anonymously held. A tracking fob is attached to each set of keys, which are only released to a Viewber when a one-time collection code is generated and disclosed. The key owner automatically receives an email when the keys are collected and deposited back, with an accessible dashboard for additional tracking.
4. Key Collection: Viewber is ready to help if time isn’t on your side. A Viewber can personally visit your place of work or office to collect keys, visit any property in the UK to undertake checks and return the keys to a designated location. Our key collection service will save you travelling time and help you stay focused on office-based tasks.

Managing vacant properties made easy

Our Viewbers can undertake the checks needed to validate unoccupied insurance policies, visually look for signs of damage, disrepair and illegal activity, clear away post and let in any trades. If you would like help with managing any vacant property in the UK, please contact Viewber today.