Void property check in Exeter
Professional void property check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-40 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Complete void property inspection. Security, safety, and condition checked. Problems spotted early, everything documented with photos.
Empty Doesn't Mean Safe
Property sitting empty between tenants? It's vulnerable. Burst pipes. Break-ins. Squatters. Roof leaks. Damp. Kids breaking windows.
Insurance requires regular inspections. But more than that - catching problems early saves thousands. A small leak spotted this week vs structural damage found three months later.
I do a thorough check, photograph everything, and give you a detailed report. You know the property is secure and in good condition.
💡 Pro tip: If property will be empty over winter, weekly checks are sensible. Burst pipes in freezing weather can cause catastrophic damage in days.
What Gets Checked vs What Gets Missed
Proper void checks are systematic:
| ✅ Professional Check | ❌ Quick Walk-Through |
|---|---|
| Every window and door locked and secure | Just check front door |
| All rooms including loft and cupboards | Main rooms only |
| Heating turned on low in winter | Heating off (burst pipe risk) |
| Signs of leaks, damp, damage | Miss hidden problems |
| Meter readings for insurance | Forget to document |
| Post collected, property looks occupied | Post piling up (signals empty) |
Standard Void Check
🔧 The Inspection
| Area | What I Check |
|---|---|
| Security | All doors/windows locked, no signs of entry, alarms working |
| Structure | Roof sound, no leaks, walls/ceilings intact, floors safe |
| Services | Heating on low, water off or checked, electric safe, gas safe |
| Safety | Smoke alarms working, no hazards, property secure |
| Condition | Any new damage, damp, pests, deterioration since last check |
📋 Your Report Includes
- Photographs of property condition
- Notes on any issues found
- Meter readings
- Security status confirmed
- Date-stamped evidence for insurance
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard void check | 30-40 mins | £60 |
| Combined with meter reading | Add 10 mins | £85 total |
| Multiple properties same area | Per property | £85-110 (travel time shared) |
| Regular contract (weekly/fortnightly) | Negotiated | Call for rates |
Report with photos included. Urgent issues reported immediately by phone.
Why Regular Checks Matter
✅ Insurance requirements - most policies need regular inspections when void
✅ Early problem detection - small issues caught before they're disasters
✅ Security - deter break-ins and squatters by showing property is monitored
✅ Legal protection - documented evidence of property condition and care
Why Choose Us for Void property check in Exeter?
Full security and safety inspection
Documented condition report with photos
Issues flagged before they get worse
Peace of mind property is secure
What to Expect
Step 1: Access & Entry
I arrive at the scheduled time, let myself in with your keys (or you can meet me there if you prefer). First check is always security - has anything been disturbed since last visit?
Step 2: Systematic Check
Walk through every room, photograph condition, check all services working, test security, note any issues. Usually takes 30-40 minutes for a thorough inspection.
Step 3: Report & Communication
Photos sent within a few hours. If anything urgent found (leak, break-in, damage), I call you immediately. Full written report by end of day for your records.
🔧 DIY Tips
Landlords checking their own void properties should be systematic:
🔐 Security focus
- Check every single window and door is locked
- Look for signs of attempted entry (damaged locks, broken windows)
- Check loft hatch is secure (common squatter entry point)
- Ensure any alarms are set
- Collect post (piled-up post signals empty property)
💧 Service checks
- Heating on low (frost protection mode, usually 10-15°C)
- Or water turned off at mains if heating off (prevents burst pipes)
- Run taps briefly to prevent stagnation
- Flush toilets to keep seals wet
- Check under sinks for leaks
🔍 Damage inspection
- Look up - roof leaks show on ceilings first
- Check external walls for damp patches
- Open all cupboards - damp and pests hide there
- Test smoke alarms
- Note anything that's deteriorated since last visit
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Not checking loft/garage/outbuildings
- Forgetting to actually test alarms
- Missing early signs of damp
- Not documenting with dated photos
- Leaving heating completely off in winter
💡 Pro trick: Take the same photos from the same positions each visit. When you compare month-to-month, deterioration becomes obvious. That ceiling stain in bedroom 2 - was it there last time? Photos prove it.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎯 Insurance requirement? Most insurers need documented evidence of regular inspections for void properties. My reports satisfy this requirement - dated, photographed, professional.
Long-term voids? Property been empty for months? Increases in frequency of checks often makes sense. I've seen properties deteriorate rapidly when left unchecked - weekly visits during vulnerable periods (winter, bad weather) prevent expensive problems.
Remote landlords? If you live away from Exeter, regular void checks give you peace of mind. I'm your eyes on the property - you know it's secure and maintained without driving down constantly.
Winter precautions? Exeter gets cold enough for burst pipes. If heating will be off, water MUST be drained down. Or leave heating on low frost protection. I'll verify correct setup during checks.
Squatter risk? Empty properties attract squatters, especially in Exeter's rental areas. Regular visible checks (my van outside, lights on briefly) deter them. Once they're in, legal eviction is a nightmare.
Re-letting soon? If you're about to market the property, a void check becomes a pre-marketing inspection. I'll flag anything that'll put off viewers or fail agent checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually gets checked during a void inspection?
Full walk-through checking all locks work, windows secure, no leaks or damage, heating operational, smoke alarms working, no signs of break-in or squatters. I photograph any issues, check meter readings, and note anything that needs fixing before re-letting or during void period.
Why inspect an empty property?
Empty properties are vulnerable - break-ins, squatters, burst pipes, roof leaks. A regular check spots problems early before they become expensive disasters. Also gives you documented evidence of condition for insurance or disputes.
How often should void properties be checked?
Depends how long it's empty. First month - weekly. After that, fortnightly is sensible. Insurance often requires regular inspections for void properties. I can do regular visits or one-off checks as you need.
Can you check on specific things like heating or damp?
Yes - tell me what you're worried about when you book. Recently had a leak? I'll check that area specifically. Concerned about damp? I'll look for signs. Worried about heating in winter? I'll verify it's running. Tailored to what you need.
What happens if you find a problem?
I photograph it, note it in the report, and call you immediately if it's urgent (like a leak or break-in). For non-urgent stuff, it goes in the written report with photos. You then decide what needs fixing and when.
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