Property owners FAQs
Why should I use Empty Property Services Ltd over traditional security?
Empty Property Services Ltd is the most cost effective, socially responsible, innovative and creative way for property owners to secure their empty properties. Using Empty Property Services Ltd will save you a significant amount of money on the typical cost of security and we will add value to not just your empty property but also to the local area.
What type of properties are suitable for occupation?
We can occupy pretty much any type of property as long as the property is wind and watertight, is habitable, has an electricity supply and a cold water supply. Our typical properties include house and flats, care homes, offices, sheltered housing schemes, schools, community centre, libraries, police stations and medical buildings. We need to provide our occupiers with kitchen facilities, a toilet and bathing facilities as a minimum and if we need to put these in prior to occupation they will be removed when you require your property back at the end of the contract.
What types of people do you recruit to occupy my property?
Depending on your requirements, we can either place live in occupiers (tenants or property guardians) or commercial licensees in your property.
All our occupiers will have gone through a strict and comprehensive vetting process. They have to be 18 years or older, in full time employment, have no children or pets, and must pass the Right to Rent check, a credit check, a reference check and a possible criminal record check. The people we place are looking for low cost accommodation or workspace, are creative types who enjoy living and working in interesting but different types of buildings and are responsible with a sense of community spirit.
What is the difference between a property guardian, a tenant and a commercial licensee?
Property guardians will sign up to a rolling monthly Licence Agreement and occupy your property as a Licensee. This means they have non-exclusive possession of the property and we do regular unannounced inspections of the property guardians living space and communal space. We are required to provide property guardians with a minimum of 28 days' notice.
Tenants sign up to an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement and occupy your property as a tenant and they have exclusive occupation of the property. We are required to provide tenants with 2 months notice and we will carry out quarterly inspections by providing the tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice.
Commercial licensees sign up to a Commercial Licence Agreement meaning they have non-exclusive possession of the property and we will carry out regular unannounced inspections to the property. We are required to provide commercial licensees with a minimum of 28 days' notice.
How do you manage the occupiers in situ and make sure they’re looking after my property?
We carry out regular inspections to ensure the property is well cared for and maintained and occupiers are following the rules and regulations they initially signed up to in the Licence Agreements or AST’s.
We have a continued reiteration program with the occupiers reminding them of their responsibilities throughout their occupancy of the property and we put in place a property maintenance program for the property ensuring the property is well looked after for the period it’s under Empty Property Services Ltd management. If any maintenance issues are flagged up either by the occupiers or during the inspections they are actioned immediately.
You will also receive copies of all inspections that take place at your property.
Can I still gain access to all parts of my property?
Yes you can by giving us a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, the longer you can give us the better so we can inform the occupiers.
What happens if I need my property back?
All you need to do is give us written notice and we will initiate the property hand back process.
For property guardians and commercial licensees we require 31 days' notice.
For tenants we require 2 months notice.
All properties will be returned clean and tidy ready for the next phase of the lifecycle of the property.
Why should I use Empty Property Services Ltd?
We have over 10 years of experience working at a senior level in the Security by Occupation industry and a proven track record of delivering high quality security with minimal fuss. We save property owners time and money and know how to deliver a reliable service to property owners and occupiers alike. We listen to the needs and requirements of the property owner and local area and are proactive in delivering a tailored and bespoke solution specific to the brief.