Our void property cleaning services can prevent problems for commercial and residential property owners during gaps in occupancy.
Right now, there are thousands of properties around the UK which are not in use. There is plenty of commercial property standing empty as the Covid pandemic has reshaped high streets. (Indeed, there are current government plans for local authorities to be able to force landlords to rent out certain commercial properties through a Compulsory Rental Auction). In residential property, there are often gaps between tenancies, whether the landlord is a private individual, a housing association, or a local council. Empty property often affects how an area perceives and portrays itself. And for owners of and investors in property, a ‘void’ period of not being rented out and/or occupied can be hugely problematic. In this blog, we’re looking at how we can minimise the associated risks through our void property cleaning services.
Housing associations and other landlords need void property cleaning
Residential property is one of the most important parts of the UK economy in both the public and private sectors, since everyone needs a place to live. Government figures showed that social housing providers alone held a stock of some 4.2 million housing units in England in 2020. Given the size of this housing stock, that total includes many voids; for instance, some 31,400 local council dwellings stood empty in March 2021. And for private landlords, certain properties can be difficult to rent out, for all sorts of reasons. Indeed, separate government figures suggested there were nearly 240,000 long-term vacant properties in England in October 2021.
There are all sorts of sometimes distressing reasons why properties may be vacant. This may present severe challenges to returning any residential property to a safe, hygienic, and usable state. Depending on the precise circumstances under which it became vacant, there may be a need to remove biohazardous waste, which can include human or animal waste. Even if the reason for the void is simply that a tenancy has ended, or a property owner has departed, there may be specific issues arising. For instance, it may demand a full house clearance; in extreme cases of hoarding, this can be a major undertaking.
Minimising the impact of commercial property voids
For those in the commercial property and facilities management sector, the topic of voids needs no introduction. One common scenario is that a tenant had to vacate a property in a hurry due to financial difficulties, and it’s taken a while to re-let. Long-term void properties may require vermin management. Whether the intruders are feathered, furred or invertebrate, it’s essential to clear waste, not least since pigeon and other bird guano can be damaging to human health and the fabric of buildings. It’s also important to install deterrents, and to ensure that buildings are secure from future infestation.
In many commercial void properties, there are some specific items which need clearing, including residual hazardous materials. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSSH), there is a wide range of substances which require careful and expert handling. COSSH covers chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, and gases, all of which may need to be removed safely. And in certain cases, the hazards may extend to discarded needles and sharps.
Outsource void property cleaning to the specialists
Dealing with a void property requires specialist cleaning knowledge. Whatever property type they’re assigned to, our property teams at REACT are highly trained, well-equipped, and security cleared. What’s more, team members are medically fit and inoculated to protect themselves from hazard. We operate to industry leading standards, including BS-EN-ISO 9001:2018 and ISO14001 for Environmental Management. We are also a licensed waste carrier with a fully traceable waste disposal system.
When a property has been vacated or abandoned, our team will return it to a safe, hygienic, and usable state. We provide a full-service property cleaning, decontamination, and clearance service. Whatever type of property, we take the same rigorous approach. We start by quickly eliminating health hazards and removing all types of waste (including materials that require specialist handling). We then go on to deep clean to the most exacting standards. With our expertise as licensed waste carriers, we can remove hazardous waste, including needles and sharps. And if the property has fallen foul of vermin, we can perform every aspect of vermin management, from waste removal to preventative measures that will stop creatures returning. Whatever the specific challenges, we have the experience and expertise to get the job done.
To find out more about REACT Specialist Cleaning and our void property cleaning services, contact one of the team today.
Telephone: 01283 550 503
Email: info@reactplc.co.uk
Website: www.reactsc.co.uk
Post by Shaun D. Doak
Shaun is the CEO of REACT Group plc., a business dedicated to specialist cleaning, hygiene, and decontamination. He is deeply committed to making sure that every one of our company’s clients receives the highest possible level of service. An expert in HVAC and commercial and industrial cleaning methodologies, Shaun has extensive experience in the facilities management and renewable services sector.