Vacant Property Boarding Up in Romford (RM) – Secure Empty Homes & Commercial Units

A vacant property can become a problem fast. Whether it’s an empty house between tenancies, a flat awaiting probate, or a closed retail unit, it only takes one broken window or forced door for the risks to stack up—water ingress, theft, squatters, and insurance headaches.

Boarding Up Romford provides vacant property boarding across Romford and the wider RM postcodes. We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading 10+ years. If you need urgent help, we can arrange emergency boarding up or plan a secure lock-up for longer void periods.

Need to secure an empty property today? Call 01708 973 306 (or email info@boarding-up-romford.co.uk).

Why vacant properties in Romford need specialist boarding up

Empty buildings behave differently from lived-in ones. Small issues become big ones because no one’s there to notice them.

Common risks we see across RM postcode districts include:

• Opportunistic break-ins through a rear window, side door or insecure outbuilding
• Vandalism—a smashed window can quickly turn into repeated attacks if it’s left open
• Weather exposure: wind-driven rain through broken glazing or missing panels
• Insurance compliance problems (many policies require “reasonable precautions” and prompt “make safe” actions)
• Neighbour complaints when a property looks unsecured or attracts attention
• Access complications: keys with agents, trades, or managing parties; limited onsite information

If you’re dealing with the immediate aftermath of an incident, our emergency boarding up in Romford page explains what happens next.

Typical vacant property scenarios we handle (houses, flats & commercial)

Vacant-property work is rarely “one size fits all”. Here are realistic scenarios where clients call us:

Between tenants (landlords & letting agents)

• A tenant has moved out and the property is empty for a few weeks
• A rear window is left vulnerable after a minor break-in attempt
• You want the place secured while you organise glazing, repairs or refurbishment

Probate, inheritance or long-term empties

• The home is unoccupied while decisions are made or works are planned
• There may be unknown keyholders and unclear door/window integrity
• Often the goal is secure property without doing unnecessary damage

Empty retail units & mixed-use buildings

• A shop unit closes and becomes a target for vandalism
• Flats above shops may have separate entrances and shared access routes
• Shopfront glazing is large and needs a stronger method than a small domestic window

If the incident is related to a crime, see burglary repairs and boarding or vandalism repair boarding.

Our methods: how we secure vacant properties properly

The right method depends on the opening size, the frame condition, and how long the building will be empty. We’ll talk you through options on the phone, then confirm on-site once we can see the damage.

Window boarding (plywood or OSB)

For most empty houses and flats, window boarding is the quickest, most practical make-safe option.

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood is our go-to for stronger, more secure boarding
• 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk, short-duration boards
• Fixings are chosen to suit the substrate and reduce tampering from outside
• Where possible, we aim for a secure fit that protects the frame and surrounding brickwork

Learn more on our dedicated page for window boarding in Romford.

Door boarding and temporary steel doors

If a door has been forced or the frame is compromised, a sheet board alone may not be enough—especially for longer void periods.

Options can include:

• Door boarding up with robust fixings to prevent easy removal
• Temporary steel doors when you need repeat access for contractors, surveyors, or agents, but still want a secure entry solution

See door boarding in Romford for the different approaches we use.

Shopfront boarding for vacant commercial units

Vacant retail units often have large glazed panels, high footfall outside, and a higher chance of repeat vandalism.

Our approach typically involves:

• Measuring for larger boards/panels with suitable thickness
• Strong fixing methods designed to resist removal from the street side
• Planning around shutters (if present), signage, and access to upper floors

Read more about shopfront boarding in Romford.

Rooflights, skylights and awkward openings

Vacant properties sometimes suffer from missing roof panels, damaged skylights or insecure roof access points—especially after storms.

We can secure overhead openings where safe access is possible and the make-safe is required to stop water ingress and prevent entry.

More detail is on roof boarding in Romford.

What to expect from our vacant property boarding service

People managing a void property usually need more than “just a board”. They need clarity, documentation, and a straightforward process they can pass to insurers, agents, or facilities teams.

1) Call and tell us what’s happened

Call 01708 973 306. If you can, let us know:

• Property type (house, flat, shop unit, office)
• What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
• Whether it’s safe and accessible
• If any emergency services or police have attended (keep any reference number)

If it’s safe to do so, take a few photos before we arrive—this can help with both triage and your insurance claim.

2) We attend and “make safe” the property

On arrival we’ll assess the opening and the surrounding structure. Our priority is to secure property and reduce further loss.

If frames are too damaged for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain options before proceeding. We won’t pretend a fragile frame can be “made secure” with a token board—sometimes the right answer is a more robust method (e.g., a temporary steel door).

3) You receive clear documentation

For vacant property clients—especially landlords, managing agents and insurers—paperwork matters. We can provide:

• Time-stamped photos of the opening before and after
• An itemised invoice
• A short work statement describing what we did and what materials were used

If you’re dealing with an insurer, our insurance claims guidance page explains what documentation is commonly requested. We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the evidence insurers typically need.

Choosing the right level of security for an empty building

Not every void needs the same solution. The “right” approach depends on risk, duration, and access requirements.

Short void (a few days to a couple of weeks)

Typical approach:

• Temporary boarding to windows/doors
• Focus on making safe quickly after a smashed window or forced entry attempt
• Arrange glazing/repairs separately once the risk is controlled

Medium void (weeks to months)

Typical approach:

• Stronger boarding specification (often plywood)
• Consider a temporary steel door if access is required
• Review secondary risks: rear access points, side gates, low-level windows

Long void (months+)

Typical approach:

• A security plan that prioritises preventing repeat incidents
• Potential combination of boarded windows plus a stronger door solution
• Clear documentation and periodic inspections (handled by owner/agent)

If you’re unsure what category you’re in, call and we’ll talk it through honestly.

Vacant property call-outs we commonly get in RM postcodes

These are some of the most common reasons people request temporary boarding for empty properties:

• Board up broken window after an attempted break-in
• Rear door forced and left insecure (need to board up door)
• Shopfront boarded up after vandalism to commercial glazing
• Storm-related damage leaving a gap or loose panel (need to make safe)
• A void property discovered with missing glass or a previously boarded panel removed
• A property manager needs documentation for insurers the same day

For event-specific guidance, you may find these helpful:

• storm damage boarding
• accident/impact damage boarding
• fire damage make-safe (note: we secure the property; smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope)

Areas we cover for vacant property boarding (Romford & RM)

We cover Romford and surrounding neighbourhoods across the RM postcode area. If you manage a portfolio, we can help you secure multiple sites under one point of contact.

Popular local pages include:

• boarding up Romford RM1
• boarding up Gidea Park RM2
• boarding up Harold Wood RM3
• boarding up Collier Row RM5
• boarding up Hornchurch RM11
• boarding up Rainham RM13
• boarding up Upminster RM14
• boarding up South Ockendon RM15
• boarding up Chafford Hundred RM16
• boarding up Grays RM17
• boarding up Purfleet RM19
• boarding up West Thurrock RM20

For a fuller list, visit areas we cover.

FAQs – Vacant property boarding up in Romford

How quickly can you secure a vacant property?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic and workload vary. If you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current jobs.

If it’s late or you need help out of hours, use our emergency boarding up page for what to do next.

Will boarding up affect my insurance?

Every policy is different, but insurers commonly expect you to take “reasonable precautions” after damage or a break-in. Boarding up is often the practical way to show you acted quickly to prevent further loss. We can provide photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement—see insurance claims.

Can you board up without having keys?

Often yes, depending on access to the damaged opening. For example, a ground-floor smashed window may be boarded externally. If internal access is required (or if we need to fit a temporary steel door), you may need to arrange keys with an agent or keyholder. Tell us what you have when you call.

What materials do you use for vacant property boarding?

Commonly:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure boards
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings or lower-risk short-term protection
  Fixing method depends on the frame/substrate and whether anti-tamper considerations are required.

Do you provide temporary steel doors for empty houses and flats?

Yes—temporary steel doors are a good option when the original door/frame is compromised or when you need secure repeat access for trades. Start with door boarding and call us to discuss what’s suitable.

My empty shop unit has a broken window—can you board up the shopfront?

Yes. For commercial glazing we use methods suited to larger openings and street-facing risk. If you need a shopfront boarded up quickly, see shopfront boarding or call 01708 973 306.

Can you make safe rooflights or skylights on a vacant property?

In many cases, yes—particularly after storm damage. We’ll assess access and safety first. More information is on roof boarding.

Do you cover my area in the RM postcodes?

We cover Romford and the wider RM area. If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call us and we’ll confirm.

I manage a void property in RM1/RM2/RM3—do you deal with landlords and property managers?

Yes. We regularly work with landlords, letting agents and facilities teams and can provide documentation suitable for internal records and insurance.

What should I do right now if an empty property has been broken into?

If there’s any immediate danger, call 999. If it’s safe:

1. Don’t touch anything that could be evidence
2. Take photos (if safe) and note what’s damaged
3. Keep your police reference number if issued
4. Call us to make safe and arrange emergency boarding up

Related guidance: burglary repairs.

Helpful links

• emergency boarding up
• window boarding in Romford
• door boarding in Romford
• shopfront boarding in Romford
• insurance claims
• areas we cover

Secure your vacant property in Romford – next steps

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, or you simply need an empty property secured between tenants, we’ll help you choose the right method and get the building safe.

Ready to get started? Call 01708 973 306 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.