Commercial property vacancies are on the rise, given the economic growth the world is facing. It is purely a sound investment on the property management’s part. But what of the risks these properties pose? And how are these risks being mitigated? Each property from residential to industrial have their own hazards that occur due to negligence and vacant properties are no different. So here are the steps you should take to begin maintaining your vacant property and ensure the right protection is in place.
Notify
Your first step would be to notify emergency response teams (such as the police or fire rescue) that this building will be vacant. You can also supply them with the keys and your contact information in case something does happen to the building.
Utilities
Certain utilities need to be switched off, for example, you’ll want to shut off the water (UNLESS you have a sprinkler, fire-protection system in play). Essentials like gas should also be turned off and make sure to unplug any appliances. If you do choose to keep your water running, you’ll have to keep returning to ensure there are no leaks. This step requires regular round-the-house inspection.
Exterior
This step is more about regular maintenance of your property’s garden. Make sure to trim and weed out dead vegetation before it spreads. See to tree lopping Brisbane to get rid of any unstable branches that might cause property damage during heavy winds and storms. Also make sure to install storm windows and doors. Paying repair expenses will be far more costly than seeing to the occasional round of maintenance.
Leakage
While you’re at it, also consider the loss that can stem from poor roofing maintenance. To prevent leakage (followed by mold), have a team regularly check the roof for missing shingles or signs of damage. Then proceed to have the gutters cleaned to avoid blockage.
Vandalism
Your chances of vandalism will skyrocket if you make it obvious that your building is vacant. Make sure to trim your garden and keep it neat. You can also install timed lighting or exterior/interior motion to help further the look of occupancy.
Services
Make sure all postal and billing services to that location have been cancelled by notifying the relevant companies. This will prevent unnecessary documents from reaching prying eyes and also avoid causing an unseemly buildup of paper on the front doorstep.
Hazards
Make sure you do a sweep of the area before you leave to see if all pollutants, chemicals and toxic materials have been removed. Keeping these behind in a vacant building, can lead to seepage, contamination and in the worst case scenario, explosions. If you have regular maintenance teams coming in, make sure they bring the relevant materials and tools to clean up.
