Securing an Empty Property: Windows and Doors to Check

Empty properties attract problems. A broken pane goes unnoticed, rain gets in, and a house with an obvious way in becomes a target. Whether you’re between tenants, waiting on probate or about to start building work, the windows and doors are the first thing to get right.

Talk to your insurer first

Most home insurance changes once a property is unoccupied, often after a set number of days. Policies may require regular inspections, a working lock on every door and window, or the water to be turned off. Read the terms, or call and ask. A claim for a break-in could be turned down if you haven’t met the conditions.

Walk around every opening

Use a list and go room by room, including the side and rear of the building, where damage is most likely to go unnoticed.

• Every window shuts and locks, including small top lights and upstairs windows above a flat roof
• No cracked, loose or missing panes
• Glazing beads are secure, particularly on older outside-beaded uPVC, as they can make it easier to remove a pane
• Front and back doors lock fully, and the handles and hinges are sound
• Patio doors are properly locked, and any anti-lift devices are working
• Roof windows and any conservatory are shut and weathertight

Know who has the keys

If you don’t know how many sets are out there, especially after tenants, carers or tradespeople, change the cylinder. It’s a quick job on most uPVC and composite doors, and our locks and hinges page has more detail. Keep a simple note of who holds each key from then on.

Repair or board up?

Boarding has its place when a pane has just been broken or a property has become a repeat target. But boards also announce that nobody’s home, and they do nothing for the look of a house you’re trying to sell or let. Where you can, it’s usually better to replace the broken glass and leave the property looking lived in.

Keep it looking occupied

• Clear post from the mat and redirect it if you can
• Keep curtains or blinds in a normal position, not fully closed
• Keep the front garden tidy and the bins off the street
• Ask a neighbour to keep an eye out, and leave them a contact number
• Put lights on a timer if the electricity stays on

Check for damp, too

With no heating and no one opening windows, an empty house gets damp quickly, and failed seals or leaking frames make it worse. Visit regularly and open up for an hour when you do. Look under sills and around frames for fresh staining.

Clear it first, then fix what you find

A full house can hide plenty of damage. Blocked windows and furniture pushed against frames often conceal rot, broken handles or leaks, so it often makes sense to clear the place out before you get repair quotes. For rental properties, The Clearance Team explains how a void clearance works, including key collection from your office.

Once you can see what needs doing, let us know. If you manage several properties, tell us about those as well, as our commercial window repair service covers more than shops and offices.

Photo: John Slater, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.