Vacant Property Boarding Up in Tonbridge (TN) – Secure Empty Homes & Commercial Units

A vacant property can go from “fine” to “vulnerable” very quickly. A slipped latch, a broken pane, or a door forced during a break‑in can leave an empty building exposed to further damage, theft, squatting, and weather ingress. If you need boarding up in Tonbridge for an unoccupied home, flat, shop, or office, we can help you make safe the opening and put practical security in place until repairs are arranged.

We cover Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area (TN1–TN40) with fully insured, DBS‑checked technicians and 10+ years’ experience securing properties after incidents and during planned void periods.

Need urgent help securing a vacant property? Call 01732 900 178 (or email [email protected]).

Why vacant properties need a different approach

When a building is empty, the risk isn’t just the first incident—it’s what happens next.

Common problems we’re called out to include:

A smashed window spotted by a neighbour days after it happened
A forced door after a break‑in where the frame is split or the lock has been ripped out
A shop or office between tenants with glazing that needs temporary protection
Ongoing nuisance issues where repeated damage is likely unless the site is properly secured
Storm damage leaving a vulnerable opening that’s letting rain and wind into an empty building

Vacant properties also tend to have practical challenges: limited power/lighting, unknown keyholders, restricted access, and the need for clear documentation for insurers, landlords, or managing agents.

If you’re not sure what you need yet, start with our overview: what boarding up involves.

Typical vacant property scenarios (what we see most often)

Every site is different, but these are realistic examples of why people contact us:

Empty house or flat between tenancies

Landlords and letting agents often call when a property is void and:

a window has been cracked or broken,
a back door has been forced,
there’s concern about opportunistic entry.

For these, window boarding and door boarding are common, sometimes combined with a more secure solution if the void period may be weeks rather than days.

Relevant services:

Vacant commercial unit on or near a high street

For shops and mixed-use buildings (e.g., flats above), we’re often asked to secure property quickly after:

attempted break-ins,
vandalism to glazing,
accidental impact damage.

Depending on the frontage, shopfront boarding may be the fastest make-safe option.

Vacant property after fire or flood

After fire or flood, the priority is to secure openings and reduce further loss. We’re not a fire restoration or drying company, but we can board up damaged doors/windows and help reduce exposure while you arrange remedial works.

Related situation guidance:

Long-term empty buildings (probate, refurbishment, repossession)

Where an empty property will remain unoccupied, we’ll talk through more durable options than standard plywood alone, and be honest about what’s realistic for your site and timeframe.

For example, where repeated incidents are likely, you may benefit from heavier-duty solutions rather than repeating temporary boarding.

Our methods for securing vacant properties

We choose methods based on the opening size, the material around it (timber, uPVC, masonry), and whether the building needs ventilation or regular access.

1) Plywood and OSB boarding (common for windows and doors)

For many vacant property call-outs, boarding with sheet material is the most practical make-safe method.

18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used where strength and weather resistance matter.
12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate.

We’ll measure accurately, cut boards cleanly, and fit them to reduce gaps and rattling. Fixing methods depend on the frame condition and the need to avoid additional damage where possible.

If you’re dealing with a board up broken window situation, this is usually the quickest route to secure the opening and keep the building weather-tight.

Learn more: window boarding in Tonbridge

2) Anti-tamper fixings and safer installation choices

Vacant properties are often targeted because they’re easier to work on unnoticed. Where suitable, we use anti-tamper fixings to make removal from outside much harder.

We’ll also consider:

whether fixings will compromise a future repair,
whether the substrate is sound enough to hold securely,
how to reduce lever points around frames.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—especially important if the property is being refurbished and you’re trying to control repair costs.

3) Temporary steel doors (for higher-risk or longer void periods)

If a door has been forced or you’re securing an empty building for weeks/months, a temporary steel door can be a sensible step up from timber boarding.

Benefits can include:

better resistance to attack,
a lockable access point for contractors,
reduced need for repeated call-outs.

This is typically discussed as part of door boarding in Tonbridge, depending on your property and risk level.

4) Rooflights and skylight protection (where accessible and safe)

Vacant properties sometimes have vulnerable rooflights or skylights—especially after storm damage or attempted entry. Where safe access is possible, we can secure those openings to reduce water ingress and entry risk.

See: roof boarding in Tonbridge

What to expect when you contact us (vacant property call-outs)

Whether you need emergency boarding up or planned securing for a void period, we keep the process straightforward.

Call us with the basics
Location (postcode), what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), and whether the site is currently accessible. If it’s safe, photos help.
We give a realistic ETA and approach
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions and workload vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and will tell you what’s realistic on the phone.
We attend, make safe, and provide documentation
You’ll receive clear records of what was secured and how, which is helpful for insurers and property managers.

For urgent situations late evening or out of hours, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

Make-safe documentation for insurers, landlords & managing agents

Vacant property claims and contractor coordination can get messy without paperwork. We help by providing the kind of documentation insurers typically ask for:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
Itemised invoice (clear line items and materials)
A brief work statement describing what was done to secure the property

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can support your claim with practical evidence and clear descriptions.

More guidance: insurance claims support

Practical advice before we arrive (especially if the building is empty)

If you’re attending an empty property after damage, these steps can help:

If there’s a break-in, call the police first and keep the reference number
If safe, take photos before anything is moved or cleared
Don’t handle broken glass without proper PPE
If the opening is large or there’s structural concern, keep people out until assessed
If you’re a landlord/agent, confirm who can authorise work and who will meet us with keys (if needed)

If the property is clearly insecure tonight, it’s better to arrange temporary boarding than wait for full repairs—especially if the building is unattended.

Vacant property security: choosing the right level

Not every vacant building needs the same solution. We’ll ask a few questions to help you decide:

How long will it be empty: days, weeks, months?
Is the property in a higher-footfall area or more isolated?
Has there been repeated vandalism or attempted entry?
Do you need contractor access (e.g., refurb, survey, clearance)?
Are there multiple vulnerable points (rear doors, side windows, rooflights)?

From there, we can recommend a sensible approach—often starting with make-safe boarding, then stepping up security if the risk or timeframe requires it.

Vacant property boarding up across Tonbridge and the TN postcodes

We’re based around Tonbridge and cover TN postcode areas for vacant property call-outs and planned securing work. This includes a mix of residential streets, rural properties, and commercial premises across Kent and surrounding TN districts.

For local service pages, see:

You can also browse: areas we cover

FAQs – Vacant property boarding up

How quickly can you secure a vacant property?

We prioritise urgent make-safe work and will give you a realistic ETA when you call. We can’t guarantee fixed arrival times, especially out of hours, but we’ll be clear about availability and options.

If you need help tonight, use: emergency boarding up.

Can you board up a smashed window on an empty house?

Yes. A board up broken window call-out is one of the most common vacant property issues. We’ll measure, cut boards to fit, and fix them securely to deter entry and reduce weather exposure.

See: window boarding in Tonbridge

What if the door frame is too damaged to board up properly?

If the frame can’t safely take fixings or the opening is distorted, we’ll explain the realistic options before proceeding. In some cases, a temporary steel door (where suitable) is a more secure and practical option than timber boarding.

See: door boarding in Tonbridge

Do you provide shopfront boarded up services for empty commercial units?

Yes. If you’ve had a smashed window or damaged glazing on a vacant retail unit, we can make safe the frontage and secure it with appropriate boarding methods.

See: shopfront boarding

Will boarding up stop all break-ins?

Boarding up is a strong deterrent and helps you secure property, but no temporary security measure can promise to stop a determined intruder. We’ll advise on suitable materials and fixings and, where appropriate, discuss higher-security options for longer void periods.

Is boarding up covered by insurance for vacant properties?

Often it can be, depending on your policy and the circumstances. We’ll provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. For practical guidance, visit: insurance claims support.

Can you secure rooflights or skylights on an empty building?

Where safe access is possible, yes. Roof-level openings can be a quiet entry point and also a major source of water ingress after storms. We can secure vulnerable rooflights as part of roof boarding.

I’m not local—can you deal directly with my managing agent or contractor?

Yes, that’s common with probate, repossessions, and landlord portfolios. We can coordinate access and provide documentation for your records. If keys need collecting or special access arrangements are required, tell us when you call.

Do you work across the TN postcode area outside Tonbridge?

Yes—Tonbridge and the TN1–TN40 area. If you’re unsure whether your location is covered, contact us or check our areas we cover.

Helpful Links

Secure a vacant property now

If you need vacant property boarding up in Tonbridge or across the TN area—whether it’s a broken window, a damaged door, or a vulnerable shopfront—we’ll talk you through the options and help you make the building safe.

Ready to get started? Call 01732 900 178 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.

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