When you're walking the dog, driving to work or exploring a new area, have you ever passed a property that made you wonder if anyone still lives there?

Not every neglected-looking home is empty, but there are often clues that suggest a property has been vacant for some time. Spotting these signs could help bring an unused home back into use, improve local communities and even earn you a reward through Stumble Property.



Overgrown gardens

One of the biggest giveaways is an overgrown garden. Grass that's knee-high, hedges spilling over pathways, weeds growing through driveways and plants covering the front of the property often suggest that no one has been maintaining the home. While this doesn't always mean a property is empty, it's often one of the first things people notice.



Build-up of post

If letters, leaflets or parcels are piling up behind the front door or sticking out of the letterbox, it can be another sign that the property isn't being occupied. It's worth remembering that post can accumulate for other reasons too, so it's always best to consider this alongside other signs rather than on its own.



Boarded windows or doors

Boarded-up windows and doors can indicate that a property has been vacant for an extended period. In some cases, owners board properties to protect them from vandalism or trespass while they're empty. Combined with several other signs, boarded windows can be a strong indicator that a home has been unoccupied for some time.



No signs of daily life

Occupied homes usually show small signs of everyday living. If you regularly pass a property and notice no bins being put out, no lights on during the evening, no vehicles parked outside, curtains that never move or no visitors coming and going, it could suggest the property is empty.



Visible deterioration

Properties that have been left vacant for long periods often begin to deteriorate. Peeling paint, broken fences, damaged gutters, cracked windows, missing roof tiles and general neglect can all indicate that nobody has been living there or maintaining the property.



Neighbours often know best

Sometimes the biggest clue isn't the property itself. Neighbours often know the history of homes on their street. They may know that someone moved away years ago, that the property has been left empty following probate or that it's been vacant for an extended period. Local knowledge can often help build a clearer picture.



Not every empty-looking property is actually empty

It's important not to jump to conclusions. A property may appear empty because the owner is renovating, someone is living elsewhere temporarily, probate is ongoing, the property has recently been inherited or the owners are preparing it for sale. That's why every property reported to Stumble Property is researched carefully before any further action is taken.

Why reporting empty properties matters

Long-term empty homes can affect more than just the property itself. They can reduce available housing, make streets appear neglected and sometimes attract anti-social behaviour. By identifying homes that may have been left vacant, we can begin the process of investigating whether they could be brought back into use, helping to improve communities one property at a time.