Commercial property and vandalism

Apart from the enormous and completely unnecessary financial liability created by vandalism, dealing with it can cause the landlord, tenant and property manager a great deal of stress and frustration. If not handled properly, it can also create friction in the relationship between them. The answer to the question: “Who is responsible for the cost of the repairs?” is not always straight forward. It often depends on the circumstances and individual agreements between the landlord and the tenant. It is advisable therefore that either or both parties have insurance policies which covers an event of vandalism and at the very least, a replacement costs of the most expensive items which are likely to be exposed to vandalism (plate glass, roller shutters, signage etc.). Efforts to combat and dissuade vandalism are imperative and the design and implementation of the action plan to do this should be a priority.

There are several kinds of vandalism associated with commercial properties with the most common being; graffiti, property damage (i.e. light fixtures, glass and signage smashing) and rubbish dumping.

Sometimes a thorough inspection might reveal deficiencies that need immediate attention, such as burnt out external lighting, a hole in the property fence or missing padlocks on security gates.

In our experience, speedy action (repainting, repair and adequate lighting) is the best way to deal with an already vandalised property. Organised, up to date documentation on paint (both colour scheme and paint specs), key register and lighting details will help the property manager to deal with the repair efficiently and in the most cost effective manner.

Some preventative measures will discourage vandals from entering the property. Depending on the situation, changes in landscaping might be needed either to make access to the building walls more difficult or to improve visibility. Protective film could be applied to glass surfaces to minimise glass scratching and damages. Carefully positioned motion activated sensor lighting could very well deter some vandals.

Tenants should be actively involved in the action plan. For multi tenanted properties it is essential to establish and implement opening and closing procedures, making sure that all tenants and their employees are aware of them and are adhering to them. Incidents must be reported to the property manager (in the case of minor damage) and to the police (in the case of serious damage). Also, good housekeeping of the premises and surrounding areas will discourage trespassers from using the site as a dumping ground!

In the case of constant and persistent security breaches, and only if the budget allows; there is an entire spectrum of other measures that may be considered. Such measures include hiring security or evening guard services, or the supply and installation of a CCTV system. 

OUR common sense – key to YOUR success