Protecting Your Property During Redevelopment Delays
Redevelopment projects rarely run on time. Even simple refurbishments can stretch into long pauses while property owners wait for planning approval, funding, or materials. These delays can leave buildings empty for months, sometimes even years.
During this time, the risks grow fast and so do the costs. This is why vacant property protection is so important from the very first day a building becomes empty. A secure building stays stable, avoids unnecessary extra spending, and is protected against crime.
In this guide, we explore why delays happen, why empty buildings are targeted, and how property guardianship offers a zero-cost and reliable solution.
Why Redevelopment Delays Take So Long
Redevelopment timelines often change. Material shortages, planning delays, and slow supply chains all play a role.
Construction News has reported projects delayed by more than a year due to supply issues, including the Wates sports centre, which was pushed back over twelve months because essential materials never arrived on time. Long waits like this have become increasingly common across the sector.
Security risks rise during these periods. According to insurer Allianz Cornhill, theft costs the construction industry an estimated £800 million each year. In fact, the Chartered Institute of Building found that 92% of construction professionals have faced petty crime on site, and 21% say it happens weekly. These numbers show just how serious the problem can be for empty or partially developed buildings.
Vacant properties also become targets for trespassing and squatting. Once someone enters an empty building, removing them can be slow and expensive. In the meantime, damage spreads, and delays increase. This is why owners need a clear plan for vacant property protection while they wait for work to begin.
The Real Costs of an Empty Building
Any empty building comes with plenty of ongoing financial pressure. Traditional security measures may be helpful, but they’re expensive. Mobile patrols, steel screens, CCTV towers, and alarm monitoring can cost thousands each month over a long delay. If redevelopment stalls for six months or more, these costs become hard to justify.
There’s also the risk of material theft. With timber, glazing, and other components being in short supply, criminals increasingly target buildings that appear abandoned. As a result, stolen materials cause further delays because replacements may take months to arrive. Some sites lose windows or doors before they have even been fitted.
Unchecked damage is another risk. Issues like leaks, broken panes, or forced entry points often go unnoticed in empty buildings. Repairs then become larger and more expensive because no one was present to catch the problem early. Over a long delay, this can severely impact redevelopment budgets.
Vacant Property Protection Through Guardianship
Property guardianship offers a simple and cost-free approach to securing buildings during redevelopment delays.
Guardians live in the building under a licence agreement. Their presence deters trespassing, vandalism, and squatters. Because the building is lived in, natural ventilation continues, utilities remain checked, and issues are spotted early.
Guardians report problems as they happen, so owners don’t face surprise repairs months later. This approach removes the need for constant security guards or repeated call-outs. For buildings facing long waits, this level of consistent oversight is incredibly valuable.
Many redevelopment projects benefit from guardianship. One example that our team has worked with is the Old Suffolk Punch, a vacant pub that had been squatted and left to decay.
Once guardians moved in, the building stabilised and remained protected until the sale was complete.
Redevelopment then began without further delay, which clearly showed just how effective a lived-in presence can be during long holding periods.
Why Guardianship Works So Well for Redevelopment
Redevelopment always comes with a level of uncertainty, as owners often don’t know exactly when work will start.
Guardianship is flexible in a way traditional security is not. Guardians occupy the building until the owner gives notice, usually 28 days. This gives owners complete control and no long-term contracts or penalties.
Guardianship also costs nothing for the owner. Guardians pay a licence fee to live in the property, which covers their accommodation and the protection they provide. This means owners reduce security spending completely while still benefiting from strong protection.
The lived-in presence prevents deterioration, especially in older buildings, which can decline fast when empty. As redevelopment plans move forward, owners gain peace of mind knowing their asset is stable and secure.
A Smarter Approach During Uncertain Timelines
Redevelopment delays are often outside an owner’s control. Planning decisions can take months, funding can stall, and material shortages can slow progress even when everything else is ready.
While these delays continue, the building should not be left at risk. Property guardianship turns that risk into a period of stability.
With guardians in place, buildings stay occupied, crime risk drops, squatting becomes unlikely, and maintenance issues are reported early. Additionally, owners avoid expensive monthly security costs that can drain budgets before work even begins.
Protect Your Building Until Redevelopment Starts
Every empty building needs protection, especially during long redevelopment delays. The cost of theft, vandalism, trespassing, and unnoticed damage is far too high to ignore. Guardianship offers a zero-cost way to keep your building safe, active, and ready for redevelopment the moment plans move forward.
If you want to understand how guardianship could protect your site during delays, our team can provide a free inspection and a clear breakdown of your options. Get in touch today and keep your property secure until redevelopment begins.
