Vacant property incidents cost commercial landlords nearly £50,000 a year

Empty commercial buildings are becoming a mounting financial liability for landlords, with new research showing that security incidents at vacant properties cost businesses £49,268 a year on average. A recent survey we conducted to 350 UK commercial property owners, identified the following below.

Supporting information:

How much have security incidents at empty properties cost your business in the past year?

Under £10,000:	5.7%
£10,000–£25,000:	16.3%
£25,001–£50,000:	44.7%
£50,001–£100,000:	26.6%
£100,001–£250,000:	4.9%

Average annual cost: £49,268

 

Have you experienced any of the following at a vacant property in the past 12 months?

Building deterioration:	25.7%
Metal or cable theft:	24.9%
Anti-social behaviour:	24.0%
Pest infestations:	20.6%
Water damage:	20.3%
Trespassing:	18.6%
Squatting:	17.4%
Theft:	16.9%
Vandalism/graffiti:	15.7%
Fly tipping:	15.4%
Arson/fire damage:	13.1%

 

Have you ever had insurance conditions tightened, or premiums increased due to vacant property risks?

Premiums increased:	59.4%
Insurance conditions tightened:	46.6%
No:	5.1%
Not sure:	0.6%

Combined: 94.3% have experienced either premium increases or tighter insurance conditions.

The survey, confucted by Censuswide for SafeSite Facilities in May 2026, reached 350 UK commercial property owners aged 25+