Best Security Solutions for Empty Properties in London and Across the UK

Why Empty Properties Need More Than Just Locks

Leaving a building unoccupied might make you think “it’s safe because nobody’s there,” but unfortunately, that thinking doesn’t hold up. Empty properties are magnets for vandalism, squatters, theft, arson, and deterioration. When your property isn’t actively lived in or monitored, you’re leaving the door open for risk.

In fact, according to one recent survey, there were 676,304 vacant and long-term vacant properties in England as of early 2025, a rise of around 5% compared to the previous year.

And as one UK provider put it: “vacant properties are a criminal’s dream due to the lack of occupancy, providing them with the perfect opportunity.”

For property owners, developers, or landlords in London and across the UK, the goal isn’t just to lock the doors and hope for the best; it’s to proactively protect the asset until it’s back in full use.

The Growing Risk of Vacant Buildings in London and the UK

The scale of the challenge is substantial. Consider these stats:

• As of November 2023, there were around 261,189 long-term empty properties in England (defined as empty for more than six months).
• Another estimate puts the number of empty homes in England at around 1 million when you include shorter-term vacancies and second homes.
• Properties left empty are more likely to experience illegal entry, damage, or fire. One article noted that unoccupied buildings “cost businesses and homeowners more and more” as crime targeting these sites increases.

In London, especially with its higher property values, denser built environment, and complex access issues, the risks and costs are amplified.

Simply because when something goes wrong (vandalism, insurance claim, structural damage), the losses add up fast.

How Security Services Protect Unoccupied Homes and Business Premises

So what does “protecting” an empty property actually involve? It’s more than just a lock and an alarm. Here are the core security service categories that matter:

• Manned guarding: Having a trained security officer present (full-time or part-time) to monitor access, check the premises, and act as a deterrent.
• Mobile patrols: Guards who visit the site on a schedule (or at unpredictable times) to check for damage, forced entries, signs of squatters, or other issues.
• Remote surveillance / CCTV monitoring: Cameras, sensors, and connected technology keep watch when nobody is physically present.
• Keyholding & alarm response: A provider holds the keys, responds to alarm triggers or calls, and acts when something happens.
• Perimeter control and access management: Temporary fencing, boarding up, secure entry gates, especially for larger vacant sites such as commercial or development properties.
• Smart deterrents and maintenance monitoring: From motion-activated lighting to remote checks on utilities (pipes, boilers) to detect burst pipes or fire risk early.

These solutions can be combined and tailored depending on the size, location, risk profile, and duration of vacancy.

Top Security Solutions for Empty Properties in 2025

Here’s a breakdown of common solutions with notes on when they make sense:

When you choose the right mix, you can protect the asset while managing costs effectively.

Comparing Short-Term and Long-Term Security Contracts

Vacant properties don’t all stay unoccupied for the same length of time. Some might be empty for a few weeks (between tenants or for renovation), others for months or even years. Your contract type should reflect this.

●     Short-Term Contracts:

Ideal when vacancy is predictable and short, e.g., between tenants or during refurbishment. Often higher cost per month because mobilisation and termination costs are higher, but flexibility is key.

●     Long-Term Contracts:

Best for properties likely to stay empty for extended periods (e.g., awaiting redevelopment). You can negotiate better rates, include maintenance checks, and build in technology to reduce staffing.

In both cases, it’s crucial to agree upfront on scope, response times, inspection schedules, and what happens if an incident occurs.

Real Costs of Protecting Vacant Properties in London

To give you a sense of numbers, let’s talk cost. While each site varies based on risk, location, size, and services required, here are rough guide ranges (London region) to help you budget:

• Basic mobile patrol + alarm response: £15-£25 per hour or maybe £250-£400 per day, depending on visits and monitoring.
• Manned guard full-time (day shift): £20-£30+ per hour or £350-£550+ per day, especially for premium London zones.
• Remote surveillance systems (camera + monitoring) may cost £10-£20+ per hour equivalent but also involve upfront equipment installation.
• Perimeter control/access manage for large commercial sites: can run into several hundred to a few thousand pounds monthly, depending on site area, fencing, security staffing, and monitoring.
  
  

The Key Takeaway: cost is not just hours × rate; you also pay for risk mitigation, technology, response capability, and downtime avoidance.

What Happens When You Leave Your Property Unsecured

If you think “I’ll skip security and just check occasionally,” beware. The risks (and potential costs) of leaving a property unsecured are significant:

• Vandalism & arson: Unoccupied buildings are much easier targets; cleanup and repair can run tens of thousands of pounds.
• Squatting and theft: Access by unauthorised persons, damage to fixtures, theft of material, utilities, or cables.
• Insurance issues: Many insurers charge higher premiums or refuse cover if properties are unoccupied and unsecured.
• Deterioration of condition: Water leaks, burst pipes, fire damage, and roof collapse are all worse when nobody’s around to monitor.
• Increased liability: As the owner, you remain liable for anyone entering the premises, even without permission; incident costs can spiral.

In short, the cost of not implementing proper security far exceeds the cost of putting the right measures in place.

How to Make Empty Property Security More Affordable

You don’t need a huge budget to secure a vacant property; smart planning and right-sized solutions work. Here are some tips:

• Use hybrid models: e.g., remote CCTV + periodic patrols rather than full-time guards.
• Schedule regular inspections: even short visits by a trusted provider can detect issues early.
• Use technology: motion sensors, remote alarms, time-lapse monitoring, and property guardian schemes(people living in the property under supervision).
• Lock down all access: board up windows/doors if needed, remove valuables, disconnect non-essential utilities, and drain water systems.
• Negotiate fixed monthly contracts for longer-term vacancy: guaranteed monitoring with known cost.
• Work with a provider who knows the London market; they’ll understand costs, restrictions (parking, congestion zones), and where to save.

Why So Many Property Owners Are Switching to Intraguard

When it comes to vacant property protection, you want a partner who gets it right. Let’s take a look at why Intraguard stands out:

• Deep local knowledge of London zones, access restrictions, parking/transport considerations, and cost structures.
• Tailored solutions: we don’t just apply the same guard model to every building. Instead, we assess risk, vacancy duration, location, value, and design the right mix of services.
• Transparent pricing: you’ll know what you’re paying for, whether it’s patrols, monitoring, equipment, or response.
• Technology-enabled: remote CCTV, alarms, keyholding, and patrol logs mean fewer on-site hours but better oversight.
• Long-term support: whether your site will stay empty for weeks or years, we build the plan accordingly and adjust if your status changes.

In short, you get value + protection, not just “someone watching the building”.

Wrapping It Up

Leaving a property empty doesn’t mean leaving it vulnerable. With smart planning, affordable technology, and trusted partners like Intraguard, you can protect your investment without unnecessary expense.

Whether it’s a London flat awaiting tenants or a nationwide commercial portfolio under redevelopment, the right security strategy saves money, reduces risk, and preserves peace of mind.

Empty doesn’t have to mean exposed, and with Intraguard watching over your assets, it never will.

Check Out More Informative Blogs

Don’t stop here, check out our latest blogs packed with actionable insights.

Why Front of House Services Are the Heart of Safety and Success

Could Missing These Security Measures in 2025 Be Costing Your UK Retail Store Thousands?

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should a Vacant Property Be Checked?

It depends on risk and location. For low-risk sites, a visit every 7-14 days plus remote monitoring may suffice; for higher-risk sites (London inner zone, commercial), you might need daily checks or continuous monitoring.

Can I just Install A CCTV System and Be Done With it?

Not quite. CCTV is a great piece of the puzzle, but without patrols, response, or maintenance, it’s only a bit of the solution. Monitoring, alarms, keyholding, and physical presence all contribute.

What Does “Long-Term Vacant” Mean For Insurance Purposes?

Generally, a property empty for more than 30–60 days (residential) or 90 days (commercial) is classed as a long-term vacancy by insurers. Many ask for special security provisions for such sites.

Are Robotics or Drones Viable For Empty Property Security?

Emerging technologies like drones and AI-enabled cameras are being utilised, especially for large commercial sites.

But for standard residential or smaller commercial vacancies in London, traditional methods (guards + patrols + CCTV) remain the better option.

If My Vacant Property is Going To Be Empty For Years, What’s The Smartest Approach?

For multi-year vacancies: negotiate a longer-term contract with your security provider that phases in services (e.g., full patrols for the first few months, then shift to remote monitoring + periodic checks), maintain preventive inspections (roof, plumbing, utilities), and plan for site reactivation early (so the transition back to occupancy is smooth and less costly).