Our Services
Welcome to VPI: Integrated Security, Locksmithing, and Professional Property Documentation
At VPI, we offer a unique, integrated solution that combines SIA Licensed Operative expertise with professional locksmithing and high-quality property documentation. We understand the critical needs of estate agents, property managers, and legal professionals who require swift, secure property access and high-quality visual reports. Our seamless service is designed for vacant properties, repossessions, and documentation for insurer requirements, delivering all documentation with unparalleled precision, authority, and professionalism.
Why Vacant Property Documentation is Critical
When a property in East Kent stands vacant, the risks multiply. It’s not just about guarding against obvious threats like intrusion; it’s about recording the slow, internal failures that can destroy value if left unchecked.
1. Insurance Requirements: Your Non-Negotiable Mandate
Insurance policies are clear: most require regular, documented inspections—typically every 7 to 14 days—as a condition of coverage. Failure to comply is the single biggest threat to your asset’s financial security.
Risk: Without definitive, time-stamped proof of these inspections, you face Rejected Claims, Voided Coverage, and Financial Liability.
Our VPI service provides the comprehensive, auditable proof you need to support your policy requirements and document your asset’s status.
2. Factual Recording: Mitigating Catastrophic Financial Loss
- Vacant properties are exposed to rapid deterioration where small problems can quickly become catastrophic
- Water Damage: A minor pipe leak or a dislodged roof tile allows water ingress that can ruin floors, ceilings, and stock within days.
- Security Breaches: Subtle signs of attempted entry or accumulating mail and flyers can signal to criminals that the property is an easy target.
- System Failures: Faulty wiring, undetected meter overloads, or pest infestations create unseen hazards that grow worse over time.
Our integrated VPI services record these issues immediately, providing the evidence trail needed to mitigate the risk of large emergency repairs.
3. Professional Security Response: Beyond a Simple Walk-Through
As Certified Locksmiths and SIA Licensed Operatives, our inspections go beyond a basic checklist. We provide:
- Professional Security Status Report: Every check includes factual observation of visible security vulnerabilities.
- Advanced Documentation: We use high-resolution photography and drone aerial views to document the property’s condition.
- Immediate Security Restoration: If a security failure is found, we have the certified expertise to secure the premises immediately, preventing further loss.
Locksmithing
Professional Locksmithing for Seamless Property Access
Our locksmithing services at VPI are specifically geared towards facilitating secure and non-destructive access for properties, a crucial requirement for estate agents, property managers, and legal professionals. Specialising in sensitive situations such as vacant property entry, repossessions, and welfare checks, our certified expertise ensures that properties can be accessed efficiently while minimizing damage. Beyond initial entry, we also provide essential security assessments, lock changes, and rekeying services to ensure the property remains secure following our visit. Our goal is to provide a reliable and discreet service that supports your operational needs, allowing for subsequent inspections, valuations, or photography without delay.
Photography
Detailed Property Condition Documentation Through Photography
We specialize in providing detailed photographic documentation for unoccupied properties, enabling precise condition review without the need for a local representative. Our service encompasses a factual record of the building’s current state, including damage documentation and security status. We meticulously highlight signs of unauthorized access, electrical concerns, and water damage, ensuring you have a complete visual record. Our aim is to deliver clear, comprehensive visual documentation crucial for informed decision-making regarding your property.
Drone
Aerial Documentation: Drone Photography and Video
We provide a fundamental drone service designed to offer a comprehensive aerial perspective of your unoccupied properties. Utilising advanced drone technology, we capture both high-resolution photography and detailed video footage of building exteriors. This service provides visual evidence of hard-to-reach areas, including rooflines, chimneys, and external fabric. Our aerial documentation delivers clear, objective visual data for your decision-making regarding maintenance and repairs.
Window Boarding
Emergency Security Boarding
Following a break-in, damage, or failed lock, immediate security is paramount for insurance compliance. As certified locksmiths, we offer a 24/7 rapid response service to expertly board up compromised windows and doors. We use high-grade materials to secure the opening instantly, protecting the property from further risk, weather damage, and to assist the premises in meeting temporary insurer security requirements while permanent repairs are arranged.
Security Patrols
Proactive Security Patrols
For assets requiring an elevated level of protection, we provide scheduled and random security patrols conducted exclusively by SIA Licensed Officers. This highly visible presence acts as a powerful deterrent to squatters, vandals, and unauthorized access. Patrols provide documented activity that supports compliance with policy security mandates, offering an added layer of verifiable protection far beyond standard VPI frequency.
24/7 Alarm Response
Professional 24/7 Alarm Response
Protect your vacant asset around the clock. As Certified Locksmiths and SIA Licensed Operatives, we provide rapid, reliable 24/7 alarm response across the Thanet area. In the event of an activation or suspected breach, certified personnel are immediately dispatched to site. Access for internal search and alarm disablement can be facilitated via a client-provided on-site key safe. We secure the property, prevent further loss, document the incident with audit-ready evidence, and can perform instant lock repairs or boarding up to assist in the restoration of security documentation without delay.
Important Scope Limitation
Important Scope Limitation
VPI specializes in FACTUAL CONDITION RECORDING and immediate SECURITY RESTORATION only.
We do not undertake any general property repairs or structural boarding services. Our role is strictly to record and document the physical condition (Condition Recording) or secure the breach (Security Restoration). Once a non-security fault is identified (e.g., burst pipe, broken window, roof leak), we provide the evidence to the client, allowing them to dispatch their preferred specialist contractor.
VPI Checklist
Our VPI service is the foundation of asset protection, designed specifically to meet the strict weekly or bi-weekly inspection mandates of unoccupied property insurance policies. We provide definitive, timestamped evidence to support compliance with your insurance policy requirements
Roof inspection by drone camera
VPI Comprehensive Property Documentation Services
We offer tailored service packages designed to meet the strict requirements of UK unoccupied property insurance policies and provide complete peace of mind to homeowners in Thanet, Sandwich, Deal, Herne Bay & surrounding areas.
1. The Core Service: Vacant Property Inspections (VPI)
This is the mandatory service required by most unoccupied home insurance policies.
| Service Item | Description (Action) | Insurance Focus (Outcome) |
| Scheduled Inspections | Regular, documented internal and external checks (weekly or bi-weekly) to support insurer requirements and deter crime. | Mandatory Frequency |
| Condition Monitoring | Visual inspection for evidence of water leaks, damp, mould, pest activity, and weather damage (e.g., slipped roof tiles). | Deterioration & Damage |
| Security Status Check | Checking all doors, windows, and access points are secured after every visit. Clearing accumulated mail and flyers to avoid an “empty” look. | Forced Entry Prevention |
| Utility & Meter Reading | Taking photographic evidence of electricity, gas, and water meters during each visit for accurate billing and to record visible leaks. | Leak & System Failure |
| Digital Reporting | Providing a comprehensive, date- and time-stamped digital report with photographic evidence immediately after each inspection. | Proof of Compliance |
2. On-Demand Security Restoration
| Service Item | Description | Security & Safety Focus |
| On-Demand Security Restoration | Immediate dispatch of a Certified Locksmith in the event of a security breach or lock failure. We secure the premises and restore primary access points. | Breach Containment |
| Emergency Locksmith Repair | Performing guaranteed lock repairs, replacements, and temporary security boarding on-site immediately after a forced entry event. | Rapid Loss Prevention |
| Incident Documentation | Factual photographic documentation of the security failure and the immediate repairs conducted by the Locksmith. | Audit Trail for Insurers |