In some cases, an abandoned property may actually be an abandoned property. In other words, it isn't owned by anyone. In the US and the UK, you're not as likely to run into this as someone generally has to pay taxes. Failure to pay taxes in the US, for instance, will result in the government seizing the property which will result in the properties eventual sale.

But in both the US and the UK, there are exceptions. For instance, during the Occupy movement in 2012, a group of protesters were able to settle into a vacant warehouse for a time because the building itself had been deemed abandoned. It's a risky, particularly if you plan to be there for awhile. And you will need to check out that locale's rules regarding trespassing.

In the event that you are in an area that is fairly open to that, here are some guidelines for determining whether you have found one and whether it's all right to explore.

Signs and Warnings or Other Notices

First thing to look for are signs and warnings that tell you trespassing is not allowed. In this case, you will have been put on notice that the property is off limits, and it's going to be tougher to argue that this is a truly abandoned property.

Guard Dogs

The presence of any kind of guard animal is a sign that the property is not to be investigated or that someone unfriendly is on the property. Though if it looks like the animal isn't receiving proper care, you should call animal control or someone to investigate.

Enclosed by Fences or Barbed Wire

Different levels of barriers all go toward the intention of the previous owners to protect the property from trespassers. It's much easier to claim that a property without a barbed wire fence is open than it is a property with barbed wire and a moat.

As a general rule, you should avoid any property that requires you to damage part of the property to enter. That includes cutting into a chain link fence.

Another general rule of thumb is that the newer the fence or enclosure is, the more likely it is intended to ward off visitors and passersby.

Traps

While most traps will generally be hidden, if you see any or hear rumors that there are traps rigged around the property, that's generally a good sign to stay away. It's against the law in most states in the US to use deadly force to protect a property, but that doesn't mean that some states won't allow traps that injure trespassers. Since these are typically hidden, this is a mess you don't want to wander into.

Legitimate Need to Enter

Have you ever noticed how in a lot of old movies folks often had reasons for going into old abandoned buildings? Well in some cases, having a legitimate reason to enter can help you counter any claims of trespassing. Now that doesn't mean you should send your dog in there, but if you should happen to have to retrieve an object, that can sometimes help.  Please note that in classic films, that object is often a baseball. (Yet another reason you should not wear high heels when exploring an abandoned building; it's incredibly hard to convince people that you were out playing baseball in your high heels.)

So as a general rule, just remember that the harder it is to get into a property, the less likely it is that it is abandoned and open to visitors. All right. Well now it's time to get started on the actual exploration itself. Check back next week to see what you should do to keep yourself safe and make the most of your experience.