This past April a burglar broke into a vacant Scranton, Pennsylvania home and stole more than $10,000 in copper wiring and pipes. The vacant property is bank-owned, and thus not likely maintained on the outside, nor lit on the inside. Currently, there are at least 14 million homes like this in the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal, and property owners who fail to take the necessary precautions put themselves and their properties at great risk.
Alan Mallach, a senior fellow from the National Housing Institute, says that that property managers and owners need to make a constant effort to protect their vacant properties. Without due vigilance, they may find themselves in situations that are costly, difficult to manage, and impossible to undo. Mallach continues to say that no efforts are foolproof and, unfortunately, criminals are often a step ahead of property owners. However, he claims that a few simple measures can go a long way toward protecting a vacant property.
Secure the Premises
Citing security as the most important issue for a vacant property owner to consider, Mallach draws on his years of experience as a property manager and urges property owners to secure the entrances of their properties. Securing entrances with padlocks or slide bolts may work in many cases, but in tough urban neighborhoods, owners may even want to consider sealing up their entrances with cinder blocks. These are stronger and less likely to rot than the plywood that many owners utilize.
Look Like You’re Home
Vacant properties can be enticing for criminals, but most will quickly back away if they think someone is home. Simple products like a Fake TV can deter burglars by simulating the scene and color changes of a real TV. Protecting a property with a product like this costs less than running a night light. However, property owners may wish to take some additional steps to ensure security.
Tips from the Pros
The LakeView Title Company advises owners to make it look like someone lives in the property by taking the following steps:
- Periodically monitor the house for break-ins or squatters. Garbage, broken windows, or sleeping bags may all indicate that someone is living on your property.
- Park your car or a friend’s car in the driveway once in awhile to make the home look occupied.
- Avoid letting newspapers or mail pile up near the home as these piles are telltale signs of abandonment.
- Keep the landscaping in order and the grass mowed by hiring a professional. Ideally, any landscaper you hire should have a zero turn mower. This is especially important if some of your properties are vacant lots or homes with large yards.
- Install motion sensors on outdoor lights so that potential thieves or vandals won’t have the chance to sneak up to the home undetected.
Although you don’t live in the home, you should make connections in your neighborhood. Lowes for Pros suggests getting to know local law enforcement officials, too. If they know and respect you, they may be more likely to take notice if and when your vacant home attracts criminals. Neighbors or neighborhood watch groups can also be an invaluable way to protect yourself and property. A nosy neighbor armed with your cell phone number may end up being your biggest asset when trying to protect your vacant property.
Yours in property management, _Trevor