How to Protect Your Listing From Vandalism

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 07 February 2018 10:23

When real estate is vacant for more than a few days, it can unfortunately become prey to vandals. Bob Dylan wasn’t talking about real estate listings when he sang, “The pump don’t work/ ‘cause the vandals took the handles,” but he could have been.

Vandals can cause damage to your property listings ranging from graffiti on the walls to theft of furniture. Vandals sometimes strip properties of anything valuable, like copper in pipes or wiring. Vandals may squat in vacant properties and even set up drug laboratories. They set fires. They break windows.

If they do any or all of these, you have major problems on your hands. You may have a property so damaged it can’t be rented without major renovations.

It’s highly important to prevent vandalism in both commercial and residential properties. Here are the steps to take, ranging from low cost to higher priced.

Turn the Lights on and off Periodically

The more a listing looks occupied, the less likely vandals are to do their work. If it’s a residential property, make sure a timer turns on the inside lights on a steady basis. It should turn them off at a reasonable time, too. If there are outside residential lights, do the same.

In commercial properties, turn the interior lights on periodically, unless it is an office building where potential vandals might be able to see that it’s unoccupied. Make sure exit signs and other signs visible to the public that are usually lit are always on. Outdoor security lighting deters thieves and vandals, so you should also make sure to rent or buy the equipment necessary to illuminate the property, or key areas of vulnerability.

Make Sure It’s Well-Maintained

Do not ignore steady maintenance on vacant properties. If it’s a residential listing, make sure that windows remain washed and yards are free of weeds and overgrowth.

If it’s a commercial listing, make sure items such as windows and potholes remain in good repair. If listings are vacant for a while, a general gone-to-seed look is a dead giveaway to vandals that no one is home.

house with lights on

Make It Look Occupied

In residential listings, you should take care to make the property look occupied. Lights switching automatically on and off will do this to some degree, but they can’t finish the job. Stop by, or hire a property manager to stop by, about once a week. Turn on the radio. Open and close the drapes. Make sure a human presence has been around.

In commercial listings, the same idea applies. Here, you may have to hire a property manager or guard as well. Buildings that have a human presence look like it. A car is in the parking lot once in a while. Someone throws away a gum wrapper. You’d be surprised what a deterrent that can be.

Keep Windows Secure and Clear

Vandals can often get into both types of properties relatively easy through windows. This is especially true of residential properties that have windows within reach of the ground. It can also apply to commercial listings if even one window is accessible to vandals. The solution is to keep windows locked securely. Place a vertical dowel in windows to ensure that vandals can’t open them if they try.

Trim any shrubbery or trees that may obscure or partially hide windows. Vandals and thieves cruise around looking for places that are easy to access and hidden.

key in door

Lock and Seal Entrances

Locking the doors is an obvious move to deter vandals. Don’t neglect the obvious. Invest in dead bolts if the listing doesn’t already have them. Make sure former property owners haven’t placed keys in obvious locations, like under the doormat or in an outside planter close to the door. If they have, vandals look.

Some properties have entrances for pets, workers or supply deliveries. These may not be doors, but they can provide access to a dedicated vandal. Don’t think a pet entrance is too small. If a child can enter it, a vandal might, sadly, use them to gain access. Seal up all entrances.

Alert Police and Security

In many areas, police patrol neighborhoods and commercial zones. It’s a good idea to alert local law enforcement of a lengthy vacancy so they can keep an eye on it.

If the listing has a security system, whether linked to the local police department or a private company, make sure it is activated and current. If it does not have a security system, it’s a good idea to install one, especially if the area has an average or above-average crime rate.

If vandals see that a listing is vacant, they can do significant damage to the property. These steps will deter vandals and maintain your listings in good condition.

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Megan Wild

Hey there! I'm Megan, I'm a home improvement writer, blogger, and real estate investor and observer. Check out my posts for housing trends and latest happenings in U.S. and Pennsylvania!

www.yourwildhome.com

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