Managing empty units is challenging at the best of times, but over the holidays, those challenges are amplified. Slower contractor response times, colder weather and limited staff availability can all increase the risk of costly issues going unnoticed.
No matter what time of year, vacant properties still carry the same legal, safety and maintenance responsibility as occupied ones. Without proactive planning, minor problems can quickly escalate into serious incidents. This can have a knock-on effect on budgets, compliance and tenant satisfaction when they’re reoccupied.
Here’s how to manage empty units over the holidays without the headaches so you can avoid unnecessary stress.
Why Do Empty Units Need Extra Attention Over the Holidays?
Although vacant properties are often assumed to be low risk, they can be much more vulnerable than expected. Particularly during winter months, unmonitored buildings face increased exposure to:
- Burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures
- Heating system failures that go unnoticed
- Damp, mould, and condensation due to lack of ventilation
- Security breaches, vandalism, or unauthorised access
These risks can persist for days or weeks before being identified, so it’s imperative void property maintenance is continued through the holidays.
Risks Associated with Void Properties
Water Hygiene & Legionella
Stagnant water systems in empty units can significantly increase the risk of Legionella bacteria developing. Even short void periods can create conditions where bacteria thrive, making regular flushing regimes and water temperature control essential.
Fire Safety Concerns
Unused electrical systems, temporary heaters or overlook fire safety checks can increase fire risks in properties. Safety features such as fire alarms, emergency lighting, and fire doors must remain compliant regardless of occupancy.
Asset Degradation
Small maintenance issues such as leaks, failed seals, or broken ventilation can worsen quickly in vacant properties. This can lead to higher repair costs and delays when preparing units for new tenants.
Reputational & Tenant Impact
If vacant properties are not properly maintained, neighbouring tenants can feel the impact and reoccupation can be delayed. This ultimately affects service delivery and reputation for housing providers and councils.
How to Best Manage Empty Units Over Christmas
Regular Inspections
Just because it’s the festive season, inspections should still be carried out regularly. Scheduled inspections of heating and hot water systems, electrical safety and lighting, structural integrity and access points, and leak or damp checks are still critical. This is because of tenant safety and property integrity as well as compliance and accountability with regulatory audits.
Heating & Temperature Control
One way to help prevent frozen pipes and condensation is by maintaining a minimum internal temperature. Heating systems should be set appropriately and checked regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Flushing Regimes
As mentioned above, regular flushing regimes are non-negotiable in vacant properties, especially during the winter. Planned flushing of water outlets such as taps, showers and infrequently used systems in occupied units is essential to manage water hygiene risks.
Security & Access Control
Unfortunately, vacant properties can attract unwanted attention so it’s important to make security a priority during the festive season. Effective measure include:
- Securing doors, windows, and access points
- Monitoring entry systems and key management
- Regular visual checks to ensure properties appear maintained
- Managing contractor access to prevent unauthorised entry
Visible signs of activity can act as a deterrent and reduce the risk of vandalism.
Choose a Reliable Facilities Management Partner
As mentioned at the start, holiday periods can mean reduced in-house staffing and limited availability of specialist contractors. By choosing a reliable facilities management partner like us, we can help you maintain inspection schedules, provide rapid response, when necessary, manage compliance tasks and prevent minor issues.
A proactive, preventative approach is far more cost-effective than reactive callouts once problems have worsened.
Void properties remain active assets with ongoing safety, compliance and maintenance needs, even during the colder months. We can help ensure you can manage your empty units over the holidays and all year round, so they’re ready for occupation and your holiday period is stress-free and without any headaches. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
