75% of commercial property owners say security costs limit vacant property protection

75.4%

say security costs always or often prevent them implementing the level of protection they would prefer

Survey question

When asked how often security costs were preventing them from delivering the level of protection they would prefer, the results from owners were:

98%

say security costs prevent them implementing their preferred level of protection at least sometimes.

83.4%

expect the risk to vacant commercial property to increase over the next two years

Survey question

Over the next two years, how do you expect the risk to vacant commercial property to change?

What the findings show

The findings highlight two pressures developing at the same time.

More than three quarters of commercial property owners surveyed say security costs already always or often prevent them from putting in place the level of protection they would ideally prefer.

At the same time, 83.4% expect the risks facing vacant commercial property to increase during the next two years. This creates a challenge for owners and property managers: how to strengthen protection against an increasing risk environment while continuing to control security expenditure.

Assess the risks of each property

Location, visibility, access points, neighbouring properties, previous incidents and the expected length of vacancy can all affect the level of security required. Treating every building in the same way can result in unnecessary expenditure in some locations and insufficient protection in others.

Combine physical and electronic security

Physical measures such as steel screens, security doors, boarding, fencing and barriers can restrict access and provide a visible deterrent. Electronic systems such as monitored alarms and CCTV can then provide detection and escalation when suspicious activity occurs.

Consider intelligent CCTV where appropriate

AI-enabled and remotely monitored CCTV can help distinguish potentially suspicious activity from routine movement and reduce unnecessary alerts. For suitable properties, this can provide continuous monitoring without relying entirely on a permanent on-site guarding presence.

Review security as the vacancy continues

The risks surrounding an empty property can change over time. Signs of attempted entry, vandalism, fly-tipping or increased local activity may mean the original security plan needs to be strengthened. Regular property inspections can help identify these changes before they develop into more serious problems.

Match the response to the level of risk

Not every property requires every available security measure. Prioritising vulnerable access points and combining complementary security methods can help property owners achieve an appropriate level of protection while keeping costs proportionate to the risks involved.

The cost of vacant commercial property

This research follows previous SafeSite Facilities analysis into the financial impact of vacant commercial buildings, which found that owners face average costs of £49,268.

Read the £49,268 vacant-property research

Research methodology

The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 350 UK commercial property owners aged 25+ with some responsibility for security decisions.

Fieldwork was conducted between 13th May and 21st May 2026.

Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

Need help assessing a vacant property?

SafeSite Facilities can assess the risks surrounding an empty commercial property and recommend an appropriate combination of physical and electronic security measures.

Request a free property security assessment