Vacant Property Boarding South East London

Vacant property boarding in South East London is essential if you need to secure an empty home, shop or building quickly and safely. Whether your property is between tenants, awaiting sale, being refurbished or has been damaged by fire or vandalism, we help you secure empty property across the SE postcodes with robust, insurance-friendly solutions.

With over 10 years’ experience, a local mobile team, full public liability insurance and DBS-checked technicians, we provide void property security using plywood/OSB boarding, Sitex-style steel security screens, and temporary steel doors throughout South East London.

When You Need Vacant Property Boarding Up

Empty properties are vulnerable. Our vacant property boarding service in South East London is used by homeowners, landlords, estate agents, housing associations, facilities managers and councils in many situations, including:

• Between tenancies or owners

  • Property left empty during a sale or re-let
  • Keys changing hands and no one regularly on site
  • Desire to deter squatters and unauthorised access

• Void property security after damage

  • Fire-damaged buildings needing safe, secure closure
  • Properties affected by storm damage, flood or accident
  • Structures partially open to the elements or street

• Anti-squatter and anti-vandal protection

  • Repeated break-ins, vandalism or fly-tipping
  • Concern about squatters or rough sleepers entering
  • Shops with empty upper floors or basements

• Redevelopment and refurbishment

  • Long-term refurbishment where windows/doors are removed
  • Commercial units awaiting fit-out
  • Residential blocks awaiting major works

• Vacant commercial and residential stock

  • Empty shops on high streets like Peckham, Lewisham or Woolwich
  • Vacant flats and houses in estates across SE1–SE28
  • Garages, outbuildings and light industrial units

If you need urgent help to board up and secure a void property, our 24/7 emergency boarding up in South East London service is available. You can learn more about our rapid response on the dedicated 24/7 emergency boarding up page.

How We Secure Your Vacant Property

Our approach is practical, robust and designed around non-destructive securing wherever possible. We aim to protect the building, keep costs sensible and give you paperwork suitable for insurers.

Initial assessment and safety check

When we arrive, our DBS-checked technicians will:

• Assess all access points – doors, windows, skylights, basements and alleyway entries
• Identify any structural concerns or hazards (loose glass, unstable frames, trip risks)
• Discuss with you whether you need short-term boarding or medium-term void property security

If there are serious structural issues, we may recommend involving a structural engineer or builder, and we will only board what is safe to do.

Plywood and OSB boarding (short to medium term)

For many vacant homes and smaller commercial units, plywood or OSB boarding provides solid, affordable security:

• We typically use 18mm OSB or plywood for strength and durability
• Boards are cut to size for each opening for a neat, tamper-resistant fit
• We use anti-tamper fixings designed so they cannot be easily removed from the outside
• Wherever possible, we secure to existing frames or brickwork in a way that minimises damage

This type of non-destructive securing means that when you are ready to re-glaze or re-fit doors and windows, removal is straightforward and damage is limited.

For more detail on the techniques we use for windows and doors, see our dedicated window boarding in South East London and door boarding up service.

Sitex-style steel security screens (medium to long term)

Where a property will be empty for longer or is in a higher-risk location, we can install Sitex-style steel security screens, sometimes called anti-vandal security screens:

• Perforated steel sheets that still allow light and some airflow
• Fixed with strong anti-tamper fixings and steel framing where required
• Much harder to remove or damage than timber boarding
• Ideal for void property security on estates, blocks and prominent commercial units

These are common choices for:

• Fire-damaged or structurally compromised buildings
• Long-term vacant council or housing association stock
• High-street premises awaiting redevelopment or new tenants

Temporary steel doors for controlled access

For access points that still need to be used – by contractors, surveyors or managing agents – we can fit temporary steel doors:

• Strong, steel-faced doors with internal locking systems
• Fitted into door openings without major alteration where possible
• Supplied with a controlled key set or lock combination
• Useful where you need to secure empty property but still enter periodically

These temporary doors are often combined with steel security screens at windows for a full void security package.

Balancing security, safety and ventilation

For some vacant property boarding jobs, especially after fire or flood:

• We may leave controlled ventilation gaps or use perforated steel screens to reduce damp and odours.
• We always discuss with you and, where relevant, your fire or flood restoration contractor, how to balance airflow vs security.

For fire-damaged properties, we focus on making the building secure and safe. We do not carry out smoke or odour cleaning but can coordinate access for other contractors. You can read more on our dedicated fire damage boarding service in South East London.

Evidence and paperwork for insurers

We understand many vacant properties are covered by insurance claims. As standard we can provide:

• Time-stamped before and after photos of damaged and secured areas
• An itemised invoice detailing materials and labour
• A short work statement explaining what was secured and why

For incidents such as burglary or vandalism, you should always keep your police reference number and share it with your insurer. Our insurance support for boarding up in South East London page explains how we can help with documentation.

Why Choose Us for Void Property Security?

Choosing a reliable boarding up contractor for an empty building is about more than just putting up a few boards.

Local South East London presence

• We’re based within easy reach of SE1–SE28, covering areas like Greenwich, Lewisham, Camberwell, Peckham, Woolwich, Catford and beyond.
• Our mobile teams can attend homes, shops and commercial buildings across South East London, from riverside apartments to suburban estates.

You can see a full list of areas we cover across South East London.

10+ years’ experience with vacant and void properties

• Extensive experience with residential boarding up and commercial void property security
• Regular work for landlords, estate agents, housing providers and facilities managers
• Familiar with what insurers typically look for in terms of securing empty property

If you manage multiple sites, we can agree simple, repeatable specifications for future call-outs.

Insured, DBS-checked and safety-conscious

• Fully public liability insured boarding up service
• All technicians DBS-checked for your peace of mind
• Methodical risk assessment on site, with a focus on safe access and clean, tidy work areas

For larger or more complex commercial sites, we can provide simple RAMS (Risk Assessment & Method Statement) on request via our commercial boarding up service.

Non-destructive methods wherever possible

We always aim to use non-destructive securing:

• Fixing to existing frames or masonry where practical
• Avoiding unnecessary removal of remaining glazing or door components
• Using reversible fixings that still provide strong, anti-tamper security

Only where frames are rotten, fire-damaged or unsafe would we need to remove additional materials to achieve a safe, secure result. In those cases, we explain clearly and document what we have done.

What Happens Next?

Securing a vacant property in South East London is straightforward:

1. Get in touch

   • Explain what type of property it is (house, flat, shop, block, warehouse) and why it is empty.
   • Tell us about any known damage (fire, flood, vandalism, break-in).
   • We’ll discuss whether you need short-term or longer-term security.

2. Remote estimate and planning

   • Where possible, we’ll give an estimate based on your description and any photos.
   • For complex void security jobs (e.g. entire blocks), a pre-visit may be recommended.
   • Our pricing is transparent and explained upfront – more details on boarding up prices in South East London.

3. On-site securing

   • Our team arrives with timber, OSB, steel screens and fixings as required.
   • We secure all agreed doors, windows and other access points.
   • Any broken glass or debris in working areas is safely cleared and left tidy.

4. Follow-up and future access

   • We provide invoices, photos and a brief statement for you or your insurer.
   • If you later need changes – for example swapping plywood for steel screens, or adding a temporary steel door – we can return and adjust.

To see how our methods adapt to different settings, you might also find it useful to read about our residential boarding up in South East London and commercial boarding up solutions.

Vacant Property Boarding FAQs

How long can a property stay boarded up?

Boarding (timber or steel) can remain in place for months or even years if correctly installed and maintained. For longer-term void property security, we usually recommend steel security screens and temporary steel doors, as they offer better durability and resistance in high-risk areas than timber alone.

Will boarding up damage my window or door frames?

We aim for non-destructive securing wherever possible. That means fixing boards or steel screens in a way that minimises damage to frames and surrounding surfaces. If frames are already compromised (e.g. by fire, rot or impact), we’ll explain what’s needed and keep any additional removal to the minimum necessary for safety.

Can I still access my vacant property after it’s boarded?

Yes. We can install temporary steel doors or leave agreed access points secured with locks so that you, your contractors or managing agent can enter when needed. We’ll discuss your access needs before starting, so the setup fits your plans.

Is vacant property boarding covered by insurance?

Many insurers expect you to secure empty property promptly to limit further loss, and boarding is often part of that. Policies vary, so you should always check with your insurer, but we can provide insurance-ready paperwork – photos, itemised invoice and a brief work statement. For more detail, see our insurance support for boarding up in South East London.

Do you cover all of South East London?

Yes. We secure vacant houses, flats, shops and commercial buildings across the SE postcodes, including areas such as Deptford, Greenwich, Eltham, Catford, Sydenham, Woolwich and Thamesmead. You can check specific neighbourhoods on our South East London areas page.

Need help securing a vacant property?
Call 020 4538 1506 or Email us for a free, no-obligation quote for vacant property boarding in South East London.

Helpful links

• Boarding up services in South East London
• 24/7 emergency boarding up
• Boarding up prices
• Insurance support
• Areas we cover
• Contact our South East London team