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Amidst government plans to make squatting in residential properties illegal, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) are advising owners of commercial properties to be on guard, as the risk of inheriting squatters increases.
Experts fear that when squatting in domestic properties becomes illegal, offenders will look towards commercial buildings such as empty pubs or warehouses as a place to lay their heads.
The Master Locksmiths Association have therefore published a list of guidelines to prevent legal disputes developing over squatters and their rights.
Under current legislation, squatting only becomes an illegal act if unlawful means are used in order to gain access to the property. Therefore the MLA are advising all owners of commercial buildings to have a secure system of doors and window locks in place to bar entry. Once an offender manipulates, damages or removes the locking system, an offence has been committed and they are liable for prosecution.
The exterior of the property should also be inspected to ensure that there are no gaps or broken windows through which a squatter may gain access. Owners of disused properties are advised to be extra vigilant, as damage may have occurred over a period of time and gone unnoticed by the proprietor.
It is advisable to have a CCTV system installed in the property, in order to aid in prosecution should an offender break in. Alarm systems are also advocated as these help keep the property secure by acting as a deterrent for potential offenders.
If your property is based as part of a industrial park or estate, patrolling security is a possible precaution. The cost of the guard(s) could be split between those who will benefit, and in addition to acting as a deterrent, the guard will be able to sound an alarm should a break in take place.
Finally, it is advised that you keep track of who could possibly have access to a key to the property. Consider the property of copies being made, and if you suspect this have a professional locksmith immediately change the locks.
