Changes in the Law put Unoccupied Commercial Property at Risk
With recent changes in the law now making it a criminal offence to squat in an unoccupied residential property, the pressure is now on owners of unoccupied commercial properties – now being specifically targeted as they are not covered by the same laws.
The consequences of squatting in an unoccupied residential property now range from jail sentences of up to 6 months and fines of up to £5,000, but as these penalties do not apply to unoccupied commercial properties, they have become a prime target for misuse, squatting and vandalism.
While the government is sympathetic to the problems being faced by unoccupied property owners there doesn’t seem to be an immediate solution – and with a national shortage of housing the number of people illegally squatting is at an all time high.
Securing and regularly maintaining your unoccupied property can help act as a deterrent to would-be vandals and squatters, but insuring your property from such damage is the only way to ensure you are fully covered.
Specialising in insuring unoccupied properties, U-Sure can help – offering a range of cover for even the most difficult to insure properties. So if you’re worried about potential damage to your unoccupied commercial property a member of the U-Sure team will be more than happy to find the right policy for you.