Closed churches

Each year, churches across the UK close their doors either temporarily or permanently, leaving them vulnerable to damage, deterioration, and crime, with more risk of:

• Fire caused by arson or a defective electrical installation.
• Vandalism, including malicious damage and graffiti.
• Break-ins, theft of building materials, and contents.
• General deterioration caused by adverse weather or water ingress, possibly because of a lack of maintenance.
• Squatters.

• While the property is unoccupied, utility services must be disconnected. If you have any security or fire protection systems, security lighting or sprinkler systems these should be maintained.
• Drain down central heating systems or always maintain a minimum temperature of 7°C to avoid burst pipes.
• Seal letterboxes, or fit a metal box or cage inside of the letterbox. Arrange for the Post Office to redirect church mail and remove any post on a regular basis.
• Contents you don’t need should be removed from the premises, as should all waste and unfixed combustible materials both internally and externally.
• Review and amend risk assessments for fire, health and safety and asbestos. Measures that reduce the risk of injury to any visitors should be implemented or maintained.
• Oil tanks located in the grounds of the site should be drained down.
• Keys should be recalled, otherwise, locks should be changed.

Consider how you will communicate the church’s closure to the community.

• Due to the extra risk associated with closed churches, when a church is going to be unoccupied, you will need to let us know so we can update your church insurance policy.
• Our church insurance cover requires unoccupied buildings to be inspected regularly by you or someone you choose. Check for any damage, for example, criminal damage to the property, so it can be addressed as soon as possible. Spotting issues like this sooner helps limit any further damage.
• Any damage identified, whether insured or not, should be reported to your insurers and the police if crime-related.
• Keep a record of your inspections as evidence. A template inspection record sheet can be found at the end of our unoccupied church building guidance notes.

Specialist support can be provided by our preferred supplier for this sector - Vacant Property Services (VPS).