Vacancy Investigation — is the property truly vacant?
Vacancy costs money and attracts unwanted activities. But is a property that appears vacant actually empty? We investigate whether there is unauthorized use, squatting, or hidden occupancy.
Real Estate
Vacancy Investigation
Vacant properties pose a significant risk for property owners and managers. Beyond the direct loss of income, vacancy attracts unwanted activities: squatting, illegal occupancy, cannabis cultivation, storage of stolen goods, or worse. Moreover, prolonged vacancy can lead to deterioration, loss of value, and enforcement measures by the municipality. The problem is that vacancy is not always what it seems. A property that is officially vacant may in fact be in use without your knowledge. SAJ Recherche investigates the actual status of your properties and detects unauthorized use.
What we investigate
What do we assess?
Actual use: We determine whether a property that should be vacant is truly unoccupied. Squatting and illegal occupancy: We investigate whether there is squatting, unauthorized habitation, or use by unauthorized persons. Hidden activities: Cannabis farms, drug labs, or storage locations are sometimes established in seemingly vacant properties. We identify indicators of such activities. Condition: We report on visible defects, deterioration, or damage that occurred during the vacancy period. Portfolio-wide analysis: For multiple properties, we offer a comprehensive vacancy scan with risk classification per property.
When is this needed?
A vacancy investigation is relevant for properties that are temporarily unrented, when there are signs of activity in a vacant property, for compliance with municipal vacancy regulations, or when acquiring real estate. For housing associations with a large stock, a periodic scan provides oversight of properties that have fallen out of sight.
How does the investigation work?
You indicate which properties need to be investigated.
Our investigators inspect for signs of use: energy consumption, mail, and visitors.
We check whether the address appears on rental platforms or listings.
You receive a report per property with the actual status, risk assessment, and recommendations.
Want to discuss your situation?
Contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
⚖️ Legal framework
SAJ Recherche operates in compliance with the Dutch Private Security and Investigation Agencies Act (Wpbr) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR/AVG). All investigations are conducted under POB licence 8779, issued by the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Legal recognition and licences
Frequently asked questions
How do you determine whether a property is being used?
Can I have multiple properties investigated at the same time?
Do you work with municipal enforcement officers?
How long does a vacancy investigation take?
What does it cost?
Read more about vacancy investigation
Ready for the next step?
Schedule a free intake meeting and discover how we can help.