Vacant Property Boarding Up in Dartford (DA1–DA18)

When a building is empty—between tenancies, awaiting probate, pending refurbishment, or after a move—security risks rise quickly. A single forced window or a kicked-in door can lead to repeated break-ins, fly-tipping, water ingress and expensive delays.

Boarding Up Dartford provides vacant property boarding up across Dartford and the DA postcodes (DA1–DA18). We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. Whether you need temporary boarding after damage, or a more robust medium-term solution for a void, we’ll talk you through options and help you secure the property with the right level of protection.

If you need urgent help, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.
Otherwise, we can arrange planned works and documentation for landlords, managing agents and facilities teams.

Need to secure a vacant property? Call 01322 952 450 or email us.

When you might need boarding up for a vacant property

Vacant properties in the Dartford area can be targeted simply because they look unattended. We’re commonly called out for:

End of tenancy / void periods (landlord changeover, refurbishment, new letting)
Probate or long gaps before sale completion
After a break-in where the property can’t be occupied immediately
Fire or flood where repairs are planned but the opening needs securing first
Commercial units sitting empty (back doors, side access, former shopfront glazing)
Repeated nuisance entry (damage that keeps happening because access is easy)

If you’re dealing with an incident right now, see the relevant guidance:

The main risks with empty buildings (and why “just a bit of ply” isn’t enough)

A vacant property is different from an occupied home. With nobody regularly present, small security weaknesses become ongoing problems:

Repeat entry: once a building is accessed, it may be targeted again.
Weather exposure: a damaged window can lead to rainwater inside, swollen timber, mould and further damage.
Liability concerns: owners and managing agents need to show reasonable steps were taken to secure the site.
Neighbour impact: noise, nuisance, and safety concerns can escalate quickly.
Hidden damage: frames, reveals and locks can be compromised even if it “looks fine” at a glance.

Our approach is to match the method to the risk and expected vacancy period—without overselling what you don’t need.

Vacant property boarding methods we use (and when)

The right solution depends on the opening type, condition of the frame, and how long the building will be empty.

Window boarding (short-term and emergency make-safe)

For broken or vulnerable glazing, we typically use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor windows and larger openings
12mm OSB for smaller windows or lower-risk openings where appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings where removal from the outside is a concern—especially important if the property will be unattended

We’ll also consider ventilation and condensation risk. If a property is going to sit empty for a while, it’s not always wise to seal every opening completely without thinking about airflow. We’ll explain what’s sensible for your specific building.

Related service: window boarding in Dartford

Common search phrases we hear from clients: “board up broken window”, “smashed window”, “temporary boarding”, “make safe”.

Door boarding and temporary steel doors (better access control)

Boarding a door can be an emergency step after forced entry, but for vacant buildings it’s often worth considering a more practical access solution.

Door boarding is useful after damage when you need immediate security.
A temporary steel door is often better for medium-term voids where contractors, surveyors, or agents need controlled access. It reduces the “remove the board to get in” cycle and supports safer re-entry.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

Related service: door boarding up in Dartford

Common phrases: “board up door”, “secure property”, “emergency boarding up”.

Shopfront and commercial frontage boarding (larger panels, higher visibility)

Empty retail units and mixed-use buildings can draw attention quickly—especially if glazing is cracked or there’s obvious internal visibility.

We can board larger shopfront sections using appropriately sized sheet material and fixings designed to deter tampering. For some sites, your insurer or facilities team may want a more robust plan if the unit will remain empty.

Related service: shopfront boarded up

Common phrases: “shopfront boarded up”, “out of hours”, “secure property”.

Rooflights and roof openings (weatherproofing priorities)

If a skylight or roof opening is damaged, the priority is to prevent water ingress and reduce the chance of further internal damage. Access can be more complex on vacant buildings (rear access only, scaffolding already removed, restricted parking), so we’ll discuss what’s safe and practical.

Related service: roof boarding in Dartford

Security screens (for longer void periods)

For properties that will be empty for an extended period, a boarded-up appearance can sometimes attract attention. In those cases, longer-term options like steel security screens can be a better deterrent and may allow light/ventilation while still providing strong protection.

If you’re deciding between short-term boarding and longer-term security, we’ll give straightforward guidance based on vacancy length and risk.

(If you’re unsure what “boarding up” involves in general, start here: what is boarding up?)

How we handle vacant property jobs (what to expect)

We keep the process simple—especially for landlords and agents managing multiple sites.

Call and tell us what’s happened
We’ll ask what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof), whether the property is fully vacant, and if there are any access constraints. If it’s urgent, go straight to emergency boarding up.
We attend and make safe
We aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic, weather and workload vary. When you call, we’ll give a realistic ETA based on current jobs.
You receive documentation for your records
We can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the openings before and after
- An itemised invoice suitable for insurers and property records
- A brief work statement describing the method and materials used

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers typically ask for.

More guidance: insurance claims support and pricing factors.

Practical considerations unique to vacant properties

Vacant properties often come with real-world complications. These are the details that matter when planning a proper make-safe:

Unknown keyholder arrangements: if nobody can meet on site, agree access in advance (lockbox, agent meet, caretaker).
Multiple entry points: it’s rarely just one window—side gates, rear doors, basement windows and alley access can matter.
Utilities and safety: if there’s suspected structural damage or unsafe electrics, we’ll focus on securing the openings and advise you to involve the relevant trades.
Neighbour visibility: discreet, tidy boarding can reduce attention—especially on prominent streets or open corners.
Future access needs: if contractors will be in and out, a temporary steel door can be more workable than repeatedly removing boards.

If you’re a facilities manager or letting agent, we can also support planned boarding for handovers and void management.

Typical scenarios (what we often see in DA postcodes)

Every call-out is different, but these are realistic examples of how vacant property risks show up around Dartford and the DA area:

An empty flat with a smashed ground-floor window after vandalism—needs immediate window boarding and anti-tamper fixings.
A void house between tenancies where the rear door is weak—door boarding or a temporary steel door makes sense for controlled access.
An unoccupied commercial unit with damaged frontage glazing—shopfront boarding to deter entry and reduce visibility.
Storm damage where a rooflight has failed—roof boarding to weatherproof while a roofer is arranged.
Repeated nuisance entry where basic boarding keeps being removed—longer-term security options (such as screens) should be considered.

If your situation matches one of these, we’ll talk through the safest and most cost-effective route for your timeframe.

Areas we cover for vacant property boarding up

We cover Dartford and the DA postcode area (DA1–DA18). That includes residential streets, estates, mixed-use parades, and rural edges where vacant buildings can be harder to monitor.

Popular local pages include:

For the full list, see: areas we cover.

FAQs: Vacant property boarding up in Dartford

Can you secure a vacant property out of hours?

Yes. If you need help tonight or outside normal working hours, use our emergency boarding up service and call 01322 952 450. We prioritise urgent jobs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

What’s better for a void property: plywood boarding or a temporary steel door?

It depends on how long the property will be empty and whether you need regular access. Boarding is often ideal for immediate make-safe and short periods. A temporary steel door can be more practical for medium-term voids with contractor access. We’ll explain options clearly before we start.

Do you use anti-tamper fixings for vacant buildings?

Where the risk is higher—ground-floor windows, hidden elevations, repeated entry—we commonly recommend anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of boards being removed from outside.

Can you board up a property after a break-in if the door frame is damaged?

Often, yes. If the frame is compromised, we’ll assess whether it can be secured non-destructively. If it can’t, we’ll explain what’s possible before proceeding. See also: burglary repairs and boarding up.

Will boarding up stop water coming in?

Boarding reduces exposure and can help with weatherproofing, especially when combined with sensible sealing where appropriate. However, if there’s wider roof damage, gutter issues, or structural movement, those need separate repair. We focus on securing openings and preventing obvious ingress.

Is boarding up covered by insurance for empty properties?

Many policies will cover emergency make-safe after an incident, but cover varies—especially for long-term voids. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. More guidance: insurance claims support.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings and how accessible they are. A single window can be quick; multiple elevations or complex access takes longer. If you call, we’ll set expectations based on what you’re dealing with.

Can you secure commercial vacant units as well as houses and flats?

Yes. We handle both domestic and commercial vacant properties, including shopfronts and rear service doors. For commercial frontages, see: shopfront boarding.

Do you cover my DA postcode?

We cover DA1 through DA18. If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call us and we’ll confirm.

Helpful links

Secure a vacant property in Dartford today

If your building is empty—whether planned or sudden—getting it properly secured now can prevent repeat incidents and escalating costs.

Ready to get started? Call 01322 952 450 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.

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