It’s no secret that winter is not the most prosperous time for the real estate market Unfortunately, with homes and other buildings sitting unsold and uninhabited, the risk for break-ins is even higher in the cold weather. People who do not have a home to live in may be looking for a warm place to sleep or take shelter from snowy and icy weather, and while it may feel like if a home is vacant, why not let them stay, the unfortunate truth is that despite the best of intentions, damage may be caused by squatters in a vacant home. If people are trying to stay warm in an unheated home, they may try to start a small fire, or if the home is recently vacant and utilities have not yet been switched off, they may turn the oven on and open the door. Both of these instances can have cause major tragedy and damage if something goes awry.
Unintended Damage and Destruction
Even when someone is staying in a vacant building for protection from the elements, things can go wrong. If a fire is started indoors or outdoors for warmth and it spreads too quickly, the person who started the fire may not know how to or may not have the resources to put a stop to it. If they leave the scene, the fire can quickly burn down an entire structure before firefighters even know about it, let alone have a chance to respond. These instances are relatively rare, however they do happen. Property owners need to take steps to protect vacant buildings against damage, and in winter when it is colder, the likelihood of a break-in may be higher than in nice weather.
How to Secure Vacant Buildings
Some property owners may feel comfortable enough setting up security cameras to monitor the premises, and the level of security needed will depend on several factors, including the area a building is located in, what type of building it is, how busy the area is and whether trespassers would be noticed, etc. If a building is not in a busy area (or really, even if it is, extra security can’t hurt), there need to be measures in place to prevent break-ins and damage from unintended inhabitants. While padlocks can be an effective deterrent, they may freeze and become unusable if someone authorized needs to get into a building. Many property owners instead choose to use metal window guards, which inhibit the ability for someone to enter a building through a window, and a door guard system, which makes it impossible to get in through the doors. These systems are not only easily installed, but highly effective at preserving and protecting a building against damage.
If you’re concerned about a vacant property you own, it’s essential to be proactive and install security measures to avoid facing problems later on.
