Insurers Raise Red Flags on UK Vacant Buildings.

Here’s What Every Property Owner Must Know

Across the UK, insurers are increasingly emphasising the significant risks posed by vacant commercial buildings, and the message for property owners and developers is clear: doing nothing is no longer an option.

Insurer guidance shows that a vacant building isn’t just empty space – it’s a site of heightened risk, with threats including arson, theft, vandals, unauthorised access and water damage all becoming more likely once people leave the premises (Ecclesiastical, Aviva).

Insurer Risk Advisories: A Unified Warning

Ecclesiastical risk guidance highlights the most common causes of loss at empty properties such as malicious damage, fire and theft, while also urging proactive regular checks to catch issues early (Ecclesiastical).

Similarly, Aviva has long warned property owners that unoccupied buildings are particularly vulnerable to fire, malicious damage and water escape, and that appropriate risk control measures should be introduced as soon as a property becomes vacant. These aren’t just optional extras, insurers are increasingly expecting documented care and protection as part of policy conditions (Aviva).

Aviva’s risk management solutions also demonstrate how the right mix of services, from inspections to physical security helps maintain insurance compliance and reduces the likelihood of claims, and lists VPS as a specialist partner providing vacant property protection services to its customers.

Why Compliance Is Getting Tougher

Vacant properties are treated very differently under commercial insurance policies compared with occupied ones. Insurers may impose stringent conditions such as documented inspections, alarm systems and deterrents, because unattended sites are statistically more likely to incur loss or damage. Failure to implement these measures can not only increase premiums but also put cover at risk at the time a claim arises (Ecclesiastical).

Simple, Proactive Measures That Make a Big Difference

The good news for property owners is that many effective vacant-property protection measures are straightforward, proportionate and cost-efficient -and they deliver value well beyond insurance compliance.

✔ Regular Inspections

Routine, documented inspections help identify early signs of water ingress, damage, trespass or deterioration before they escalate into major losses. Insurers increasingly expect these checks to be auditable if a claim is made.

✔ Visual Deterrents

Good lighting, clear signage and visible security features make a vacant property look actively managed rather than abandoned – a simple but effective way to deter opportunistic crime and anti-social behaviour.

✔ Monitored Technology Solutions

Modern, temporary security technology such as monitored alarms, motion detection and remote monitoring can play a crucial role in protecting vacant buildings. These systems can alert monitoring centres and response teams to potential issues in real time, enabling swift intervention before incidents escalate. By identifying threats early, monitored technology not only supports insurer compliance requirements, but also helps protect the building fabric and any assets inside, significantly reducing the likelihood and cost of damage during vacancy.

✔Physical Security Measures

Securing access points through door and window protection, perimeter measures and controlled access reduces vulnerabilities and helps prevent unauthorised entry – all common causes of vacant-property claims.

Collectively, these proactive measures help demonstrate reasonable care and active risk management, which insurers increasingly look for when assessing vacant-property cover. Just as importantly, they protect property owners from avoidable repair costs, reputational risk and the disruption that incidents can cause.