vacant property management webinar
TRANSCRIPT
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Mark CoshDirector
Vacant property management
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Agenda
• Introduction to vacant property management
• Why buildings become vacant
• The risks of empty buildings
• Managing a building’s closure
• Managing an empty building
• Getting a building ready for reoccupation or demolition
• Conclusion, survey results and Q&A
• #vacantproperty @sitexorbis
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Introduction to vacant property management
Introduction to vacant property management
Why buildings become vacant
The risks of empty buildings
Managing a building’s closure
Managing an empty building
Getting a building ready for reoccupation or demolition
Conclusion, survey results and Q&A
BIFM- SitexOrbis
Vacant property poll Autumn 2011
Key
Section D (68%) = Security issues
Section E (51%) = Loss of income
Section C (48%) = Keeping properties in ready-to-let conditions
Section G (35%) = Conduct regular visits
Section A (33%) = Compliance with insurance stipulations
*Total respondents = 205
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
John
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Vacant Building Timeline
Different
strategies
Different stages
in the property
life cycle
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Why buildings become vacant
• Economic challenges
• Businesses going bust – eg Lehmans, HMV, Woolworths
• Flexible/ agile working reduces requirement for space
• Changes in the way public services are delivered
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
The risks of empty buildings
• Loss of rental income
• Increased insurance premiums
• Devaluing of neighbourhood
• Squatters
• Vandals
• Theft – especially metal theft
• Arson
• Fly-tipping
• Compensation claims
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Claims and compensation
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisMetal theft
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisMetal theft
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Squatting
• Change in the law making squatting a criminal offence in
residential building but NOT commercial buildings
• Case law
• England and Wales v Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Targeting of commercial properties
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Squatters: experiences to date
• 27% had been targeted by squatters over the past two years
• 30% expected an increase in squatters targeting commercial
buildings
• London (37%), the south-east (22%) and the Midlands (19%)
are the most targeted areas by squatters
• Many also expressed concern about the threat of Travellers
and Gypsies on their sites
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisSquatting
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisSquatting
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisSquatting
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisSquatting
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisSquatting Law
• Squatters are organised
• Have access to lots of information
• Usually understand the law and processes better than most!
• Have a look at their website www.squatter.org.uk
www.squatter.org.uk
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Prevent Squatting
• Prevention is better than cure
• Evicting squatters from commercial properties – the options
• Interim possession order (IPO)
• For urgent repossessions
• Must be sought within 28 days of squatters arrival
• Not for open land
• Possession order
• Claim issued against “persons unknown”
• Court hearing
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Squatting: what does the future hold?
• Why wasn’t squatting in commercial buildings covered by the
new law?
• Will commercial buildings be covered in the future?
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Urban explorers
http://www.urbexforums.com
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Urban explorers
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Managing a building’s closure
• Conduct a risk assessment
• Remove items of value
• Inform your insurer and the Fire Service
• Inspect the property regularly
• Secure the premises:
• Perimeter protection
• Physical security
• Electronic security systems
• Manned guarding
• Lighting arrangements
• Alert the neighbours
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Before and after fire scenario
Case Study: Car showroom
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Case study: Property inspection
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Case study: Property inspection
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Managing an empty building
• Keeping up appearances
• Regular inspections
• Security management
• Temporary use of empty buildings
• Empty property tax rates
• Managing empty listed buildings
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisCase Study: Boiler theft
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Getting a building ready for re-occupation
or demolition
• Reoccupation
• Clean and refurbish
• Reconnect the utilities
• Inform your insurer and the Fire Service
• Adjust security
• Conduct a risk assessment
• Demolition
• Site check
• Recycle high-value items
• Disconnect the utilities
• Protect wildlife
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Other reasons to review security!
• 12 empty properties
• Man Guarding 24/7
• Some fencing
• Inspections carried out by guard
• Buildings boarded
• Several break-ins, metal stolen
Annualised cost of security all sites £ 2.1 Million
#vacantproperty @sitexorbisOther reasons to review!
• 12 properties following review with owner and insurer
• Man Guarding reduced to 12 hours a day and reviewed on
some buildings
• Wireless video alarms 24/7
• Full fencing introduced around the compounds
• Boards replaced with steel
• Bollards placed at key entrances
• Independent weekly survey with professional inspectors
• All sites cleared to remove fire hazards
• Empty site pits filled and capped
Annualised cost of security of all sites £ 546.236
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Further information
• SitexOrbis has produced a white paper about the new
squatting legislation and the impact on commercial property
owners and managers. Visit www.sitexorbis.com/webinar
• SitexOrbis, together with the British Institute of Facilities
Management, has published a Good Practice Guide to
Managing Vacant Property. Visit www.sitexorbis.com/webinar
• The BSIA has produced a free guide to tackling metal theft.
Visit www.bsia.co.uk/home/metal-theft-guide
• The Valuation Office Agency has in-depth information about
the valuation of vacant property and Empty Property Tax relief
at www.voa.gov.uk
#vacantproperty @sitexorbis
Thank You
Mark Cosh
01895 465 500
www.sitexorbis.com
www.linkedin.com/company/sitexorbis-limited
www.twitter.com/sitexorbis
www.facebook.com/sitexorbisltd
One call does it all – 0800 083 0850