For many of our clients, summer is a time spent between residences, travelling internationally, or stepping away for extended periods. While this is part of the privilege and flexibility of high-net-worth living, it also introduces a distinct set of risks when a primary residence is left unoccupied.
In our experience, the properties most at risk are not necessarily those lacking security, but those where absence becomes visible or predictable. In the current environment, risks are rarely opportunistic; they are often informed and deliberate, with empty homes identified through patterns of behaviour and visible signals.
According to the Office for National Statistics, police recorded 166,577 domestic burglaries in England and Wales in the year ending March 2025, reinforcing the importance of visible, well-managed home security when properties are left unoccupied1.
The key, therefore, is not simply having security in place, but ensuring it is layered, well managed, and aligned with the way you live. Seen in that light, effective protection is as much about coordination and routine as it is about individual systems.
What we see in practice
In our experience, incidents involving high-value homes often share one or more of the following characteristics:
- Properties appeared vacant due to uncollected deliveries or unmanaged grounds
- Security systems were in place but not actively monitored or recently tested
- Access arrangements for staff or contractors had not been properly controlled
- Travel plans had been shared, intentionally or unintentionally creating a clear window of absence
In each case, the issue was not a lack of investment, but a lack of coordination between systems, people, and routine. With that in mind, the most effective preparation usually begins well before departure.
A summer security checklist
1. Start with a full property review
Before travelling, we always recommend undertaking a structured review of the property as a whole, not just the main residence.
This should include:
- Checking all external doors, windows, garages, and secondary access points
- Ensuring locks and mechanisms are functioning correctly
- Securing outbuildings, gates, and storage areas
We often find that smaller vulnerabilities, such as a misaligned patio door or overlooked side access, can present the easiest entry point if left unaddressed.
2. Ensure security is layered, rather than reliant on one system
For high-value homes, security should never rest on a single measure alone.
In practice, the most effective arrangements tend to combine:
- Professionally monitored alarm systems
- Comprehensive CCTV coverage across all approach routes
- Perimeter detection and external lighting
- Integrated fire and water protection systems
Visible and active security measures remain one of the strongest deterrents to intrusion.
3. Avoid signals that the property is empty
One of the most consistent themes we see following incidents is that the property gave a clear impression of being unoccupied.
Simple but critical considerations include:
- Arranging for post and deliveries to be managed
- Maintaining regular garden and exterior upkeep
- Using intelligent lighting systems across multiple rooms
- Ensuring bins, vehicles, and visible signs of activity are managed
A property that clearly appears vacant is significantly more likely to attract attention.
4. Take control of access and household protocols
Where a property is supported by staff, contractors, or regular service providers, access can quickly become a point of vulnerability if arrangements are not reviewed carefully before departure.
From our experience, best practice includes:
- Reviewing who has access before departure
- Removing or limiting temporary access permissions
- Ensuring alarm and entry systems reflect current arrangements
-
Establishing clear escalation procedures if an issue arises
The most robust security setups are those where technology and people are aligned.
5. Maintain visibility while you are away
Increasingly, clients expect to remain connected to their property wherever they are in the world, not only for reassurance, but also for prompt response where needed.
We recommend:
- Enabling remote access to alarm systems and CCTV
- Setting up real-time alerts for unusual activity
- Periodically checking camera feeds and system status
This level of oversight provides reassurance and allows prompt intervention if required.
6. Protect high-value contents appropriately
High-net-worth homes often contain items of significant individual value, and these are best considered separately rather than as part of general contents.
We often advise clients to:
- Store jewellery, watches, and collectibles in approved safes
- Ensure safes are correctly rated and discreetly located
- Review whether certain items should be relocated during longer absences
It is also important to ensure that valuables are not visible from outside the property.
7. Do not overlook non-security risks
Not all losses stem from intrusion. In our experience, some of the most significant claims arise from unattended issues while a property is empty. This is particularly important given that escape of water accounted for 28.63% of home insurance claims declared in the UK in 2024, making it one of the most common causes of residential loss2.
In particular:
- Water damage is a key exposure in unoccupied homes
- Heating, plumbing, and alarm systems should be checked in advance
- Regular property inspections may be required depending on your insurance policy
Taking these steps not only reduces risk but also helps ensure policy conditions are met.
8. Be mindful of digital exposure
Finally, one of the most overlooked aspects of home security is digital visibility.
In today’s environment:
- Travel plans shared publicly can create a clear timeline of absence
- Third parties can unintentionally disclose valuable information
- Patterns of movement may be observed over time
Discretion remains an important component of home security.
For private clients, protecting a home is not simply about installing systems; it is about ensuring that security, oversight, and routine work together seamlessly.
Time and again, the difference we see is not the presence of security alone, but the quality of its management.
A well-prepared home should:
- Appear occupied
- Be actively monitored
- Have controlled access
- Be resilient to both security and maintenance risk
When these elements come together, clients are better able to enjoy time away with greater confidence and fewer avoidable concerns.
Taking time to review security arrangements before travelling can help reduce unnecessary risk and provide greater peace of mind while you're away.
Sources:
- Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2025 | ONS, October 2025 | https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2025
- Home headaches: top reasons behind home insurance claims revealed | GoCompare, August 2024 | Home headaches: top reasons behind home insurance claims revealed | GoCompare News
