Which Security Option is Best for Your Vacant Property?
Effective security should never be overlooked in empty buildings. Even if it’s an old and unused space waiting for development, the risks of leaving it standing unsecured are real. Think squatters, vandalism, fire hazards, and rising insurance premiums.
When it comes to vacant property security, choosing the best option isn’t as simple as locking the door and hoping for the best. You need to be more proactive in how you deter security risks while maintaining the empty building at the same time.
There are several security options out there, and each one promises peace of mind. But which actually delivers?
The Four Main Vacant Property Security Options
Typically, vacant property security solutions cover four main areas, each with its own pros and cons.
1. Manned Security Guards
There’s no denying the power of a visible security guard.
Security guards are a strong deterrent against crime and squatters. They can respond quickly, call the authorities, and give your property a sense of presence that basic systems can’t match.
However, manned security comes at a steep price. On average, manned security can cost between £15 and £25 per hour per guard. That’s up to £18,000 a month for round-the-clock coverage, which only covers one person.
Beyond the cost, there’s the risk of human error, scheduling gaps, and sometimes questionable reliability depending on the provider. So, you could pay all this money for security, and your building may still be at risk.
2. CCTV Surveillance
CCTV is a popular choice for good reason. It’s relatively cost-effective and allows for remote monitoring. Some setups even include live audio warnings and motion detection.
But, the major downside is that cameras don’t stop break-ins. They record what happens after the fact.
Without someone nearby to act on alerts, your property is still vulnerable. And let’s not forget coverage blind spots or poor lighting. CCTV is reactive, not preventative.
3. Steel Shutters and Boarding
Blocking up your empty building’s access points is fast, cheap, and very visible. Boarding up windows and doors sends a clear message that the building is being managed.
It also signals that your property is empty. Squatters know this. It’s not hard to remove or break through boards, especially if no one is checking the building regularly.
As a result, boarding is a short-term fix, not a real solution.
4. Property Guardianship
Property guardianship means people living inside your property, keeping it active and secure without the cost of traditional guarding. It’s a smart way to protect against damage, reduce insurance risks, and even lower your business rates.
The presence of vetted residents can deter crime while keeping the building in good shape.
At City Guardians, for example, monthly inspections, live-in key workers, and detailed digital reports are standard features that come without the high costs of full-time guards. Plus, you get flexibility. If you need the building back, you’ll usually have it in 30 days.
Not every property is suitable for guardianship. It must be safe, have basic utilities, and be structurally sound. But the right guardianship provider can quickly bring vacant buildings up to a livable standard.
Ultimately, property guardianship turns a vacant building into a lived-in one, with a genuine 24-hour human presence.
Which Vacant Property Security Option is Best?
When deciding how to protect a vacant property, most owners are looking for the same three things: cost, coverage, and compliance.
Each of the options above solves part of the problem, but few tick all the boxes.
Security guards offer round-the-clock presence but come with extremely high costs that are often hard to justify for long-term vacancies. CCTV, while helpful for monitoring and gathering evidence, does little to stop incidents in the moment. It also still relies on someone else being nearby to respond.
Boarding up might seem like a low-cost fix, but it does nothing to prevent serious damage or unauthorised entry if no one is keeping an eye on the place.
Guardianship, when managed professionally, provides something different. It delivers consistent on-site presence at a fraction of the cost of manned guards. It reduces the need for multiple layers of surveillance and helps keep properties in working order simply by being used and occupied.
There’s also the added benefit of insurance compliance and the potential for reduced business rates.
Research has shown that visibly occupied buildings are significantly less likely to be targeted by criminal activity. And that’s before considering the long-term upkeep benefits of someone living on site.
Finding a Security Solution That Works for Your Building
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to protecting vacant buildings. Some properties might benefit from short-term boarding. Others need more active support. The key is knowing what each method offers and what it doesn’t.
City Guardians works with landlords, developers, and asset managers who are looking for more than just ticking boxes. Our guardianship model is affordable. It’s backed by regular inspections, real-time reporting, and a team that actually cares about your property’s condition.
If you’re after real, lived-in security that keeps your building protected and your costs low, guardianship might be your best bet.
Want to talk through your options? We’re happy to advise — even if it’s just an initial call to see what might work best for your property.
