Given the new GDPR rules for data protection, councils and housing bodies are required by law to show that any excess mail delivered to vacant properties is removed and disposed of in a confidential manner. Besides, many insurance policies insist that combustible materials are removed to maintain the fire regulation compliances of vacant sites.
Makeshift seals have been used to overcome these problems, such as a plank nailed across a letterbox. Hence a purpose-built letterbox seal from the property protection contractor VPS, for preventing the accumulation of post. VPS introduced the custom-made kits last month. The contractor had them cut from steel, and has already installed them in over 500 vacant properties.
Dave Butcher, VPS’ North West Operations Manager said: “When we saw how some of our clients were sealing up letterboxes, with bits of mesh, wood, nails and so on, we designed a letterbox seal that is a well-made, easy to install, strong piece of kit that prevents combustible materials building up inside an empty property. There are almost 20 deliberate fires started a day across the UK, and empty properties are a prime target. With November 5 approaching, there’s an added risk of fireworks being shoved through letterboxes too. The clear reduction in fire risk together with the savings made from not having to certificate the disposal of post delivered to comply with GDPR regulations, this simple piece of kit is an easy choice. Plus, it looks a whole lot better than slapping a piece of wood or steel mesh across the old letterbox.”
