Vacant and foreclosed property security in San Diego
An empty building gets noticed within days. We put an officer on it in 24 to 48 hours and send you a dated photo report every morning, wherever you are.
- On site in 24 to 48 hours
- Daily dated photo report
- Month-to-month
How do you secure a vacant or foreclosed property in San Diego?
MT Security & Investigations places a licensed guard or scheduled patrol on vacant, foreclosed and bank-owned property in San Diego County within 24 to 48 hours. Owners and asset managers receive a daily written report with dated photos of every entry point. Service is month-to-month and typically costs $1,800 to $8,000 per month. Call (619) 765-2222.
What an unwatched building costs.
People track foreclosure filings and utility shutoffs. A building that looks empty is tested quickly, and each problem makes the next one more likely.
Squatters
Once someone claims to live there, removal can become a court process. Owners commonly spend $5,000 to $20,000 on legal fees, lost time and cleanup.
Occupancy checks every day and a record that shows the property was secured and monitored. If someone gets in, we document, notify law enforcement and you, and stay until it is resolved.
Copper and metal theft
Wiring, HVAC units and plumbing stripped in a night. A single commercial incident commonly runs $10,000 to $50,000 or more to repair.
An officer on site or patrol at irregular times, with rooftop units, electrical rooms and meters on every round.
Vandalism, dumping and drug use
Graffiti, broken glass and dumped trash signal that nobody is watching. Cleanup can become hazardous.
Damage photographed and reported the morning it appears, so board-up and cleanup happen before it spreads.
Insurance vacancy clauses
Many commercial policies limit or exclude coverage after 30 to 60 days of vacancy. Check yours.
A daily record of inspections that you can hand to your carrier.
Code violations and liens
Weeds, trash and open access draw city notices that follow the property.
Conditions reported early with photos, so your property manager can fix them before a notice arrives.
What you receive.
A guard post or a patrol schedule
Around-the-clock officer, overnight only, or several patrol inspections a day. We recommend the least coverage that solves the problem.
Daily photo report
Every door, window, gate and meter photographed with a date stamp. Sent each morning to you, your asset manager and anyone else you name.
Same-day incident notice
A phone call and written report when anything happens. Law enforcement notified and the incident number recorded.
Lock, board-up and vendor coordination
We meet locksmiths, board-up crews, brokers and inspectors on site and log who came and went.
Month-to-month terms
Scale up when a problem appears and down as the property moves toward sale. No long contract.
Armed officers when needed
For sites with a history of armed trespassers or organized theft.
Who we work for.
Our reports are written for people who cannot drive by the property.
- Banks and credit unions with REO property
- Loan servicers, receivers and trustees
- Asset managers for commercial portfolios
- Out-of-state owners and heirs settling an estate
- Foreclosure and real estate attorneys
- Brokers marketing distressed or vacant listings
A recent engagement.
Foreclosed multi-building commercial complex, San Diego County. Client name withheld. The property had been vacant about 30 days, with one report of unauthorized entry, when the out-of-state owner called.
Officers were on site within 48 hours. A written log with dated photos went to the owner's asset manager before 9 a.m. every day for just over three months while title review, broker engagement and the sale were completed.
No squatters, theft or vandalism occurred during the engagement, and the daily reports went into the transaction file. Every property is different and results are not guaranteed.
Pricing
| Service | Rate | What that covers |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled patrol inspections | $1,800 to $3,500 | Per month. Several documented visits per day or night. |
| Overnight officer | $3,500 to $6,000 | Per month. An officer on site during the highest-risk hours. |
| Around-the-clock officer | $6,000 to $8,000+ | Per month, depending on armed or unarmed and site size. |
Quoted per property after a short phone review. Multi-property portfolios are priced together.
Common questions
How quickly can you get a guard to a newly vacant property?
Usually within 24 to 48 hours of your call. If there is an active break-in or squatter situation, call (619) 765-2222 and we will send someone the same day when an officer is available.
Do you work with out-of-state banks and lenders?
Yes. Much of this work is for owners who are not in California. You get a daily written report with photos and a direct line to the owner of the company.
Can you remove squatters?
No private security company can lawfully evict. What we do is prevent entry, document occupancy the day it starts, work with the Sheriff or police on trespass, and give your attorney the evidence needed for a fast removal.
Is there a minimum contract?
No. Service is month-to-month and can end when the property sells or is leased.
What is in the daily report?
Time of each inspection, condition of each entry point, signs of entry or tampering, people or vehicles on site, actions taken, and dated photos.
Do you cover residential as well as commercial property?
Yes. Single homes, apartment buildings, retail centers, offices, warehouses and land.
More answers
- What can a security guard legally do in California?
- How do I check if a security company is licensed in California?
- Should I hire a security guard or an off-duty police officer?
- Mobile patrol or an on-site guard: which does my property need?
- How do I get trespassers removed from my business property in San Diego?
- How many security guards does my business or property need?
- Can I get a security guard in San Diego today?
- How much does a security guard cost per hour in San Diego?
Get your quote in writing
No sales call, no pressure. Tell us the property, the hours and the problem. We answer with a fixed price and a start date.
- Written quote, usually within two hours
- Most posts start in 24 to 48 hours. Same-day when it is urgent.
- Month-to-month available. No long lock-in to get started.
- The price we quote is the price you pay
Prefer to talk? (619) 765-2222, any hour.