guardians housing
Property guardians housing
Our property guardian scheme provides affordable housing for young professionals and key workers in warehouse loft spaces, empty houses, former care homes, retail and business premises. Guardianships can vary in length, from as little as three months to over a year, depending on the circumstances.
As of November 2022, there were 257,331 empty homes in England classed as long-term empty.
In London alone, there were 19,845 homes sitting idle for over six months.
Benefits of our scheme
The scheme unlocks a vital stream of affordable housing for key-workers and young professionals. It also helps tackle the blight of decaying, boarded up properties filling our towns and cities. These factors combine to improve community cohesion and tackle the housing crisis.
Scroll down to read our selection criteria, and find out what to expect from becoming a live in guardian.
Property guardian requirements:
- Over 21 years of age
- In full-time employment or a mature student
- Non-smoker
- Do not have household pets
- Do not have a criminal record
Additional requirements prior to move-in:
- Photographic ID (Passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (current utility bill or bank statement)
- Employment reference (if you have been in your current role for at least 12 months)
- Character reference (from someone you have known for at least 3 years)
- CRB check
“Property Guardians is helping a generation of young
professionals get on the housing ladder”.
Steve – property owner, London
What to expect as a property guardian
Our guardians always tell us that one of the things they love the most about their experience is the opportunity to live in varied properties and build friendships with people they might have otherwise connected with. Individuals become property guardians because they share values around community, bringing empty buildings back to life, and enjoying different experiences.
The experience of being a property guardian is rewarding, and the experience is sure to open your eyes to an alternative way of living. Guardians housing opportunities are available at locations across the UK, both in towns and more rural areas. Before commencing a property guardianship, you are required to sign a code of conduct to maintain standards of respect for the property and fellow guardians.
If you’d like to discover more about property guardianship, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.
FAQs
Property Guardian FAQs
Learn more about the requirements for becoming a guardian and what to expect.
Why does property guardianship entail?
As a property guardian, your primary responsibility will be to protect and maintain the property you are occupying. This includes reporting any issues you encounter during your stay there at the earliest opportunity.
Property guardianship does not require you to undertake any security functions or essential maintenance work (e.g. plumbing or electrical). We will provide you with 24/7 emergency numbers in the event of a threat or risk to you or the property.
How much does it cost?
The license fee we charge guardians to reside in properties starts from as little as £30 per week up to £100, depending on the property. This includes all utility bills.
What other costs are there?
We require a £400 deposit on move-in date. This is fully refundable once you move out of the property, provided you leave it in the same condition. We do not charge a registration fee.
Can I live with my partner?
Yes you can. However, your partner will have to register and undergo our vetting procedure. They will also be required to sign a copy of the property guardian licence agreement.
What is the notice period?
We operate a 30 day notice period. Before moving in we will provide an indication of how long you will be able to occupy the property for. We will always try and find you another property within our guardian housing scheme to move to once the occupation comes to an end.
What condition are the properties?
Some properties are fully furnished. In those that are not, we will always ensure you are provided with access to kitchen and bathroom facilities with hot water.
Due to the temporary nature of property guardianship, we do not provide broadband or landline telephones. Requests will be considered for guardians to install a landline/broadband at their own cost.
We also offer short and long-term opportunities for people wishing to be house sitters (eg. when a homeowner requires their property to be looked after when going on holiday).
Will I be classified as a tenant?
No. We secure vacant properties by placing Guardians in a living space within a property on a short-term license, not an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). Guardians are license holders who agree to provide security by occupation for the building they are living in on behalf on Property Guardians and the property owner. A tenancy can be defined as having possession of land or a property for a period of time agreed by a landlord (AST).
A guardian’s license is an agreement to secure an empty property. This includes a 30 day notice period allowing the property owner to gain full access to the building again. We’ll always endeavour to give you more notice than that, and also help you find somewhere to move to next.
Can I report an empty property in my area for consideration?
Yes, if you see an empty property that you think would be suitable for guardianship then please email us the details. We will then locate the owner to see if they would be interesting in making the property available.
Do you have a long waiting list?
This really depends on your flexibility to move. Property guardian vacancies in London are especially popular, and the properties we manage there get filled quickly. If you are able to move at short notice then you will usually find it easier to secure a property through us.
We keep details of every applicant on our register. As soon as a suitable property that fits your timeframe and preferred location becomes available we will contact you to move your application forward.
property guardianship
What is property guardianship?
Property guardianship is experiencing huge popularity against the backdrop of the housing crisis. A combination of sky-high rents and rising house prices have made it one of the fastest growing forms of property occupation in the UK. For property owners, it’s a highly effective method to secure empty property – safe, secure and socially conscious. For those seeking affordable housing in desirable locations, becoming a property guardian has become an increasingly popular solution.
Putting vacant buildings into use as affordable living spaces ensures these derelict areas remain active and liveable. As a result, empty properties retain value and are safeguarded against issues that empty properties attract. This includes squatting, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Guardianships can vary in length, from as little as three months to over a year.
Scroll down to read our FAQs and find out about life as a property guardian and what you can expect.
Property guardian protection
Our property guardian scheme provides occupation for all property types. This includes residential, retail and office premises. Our guardians comprise key-workers and young professionals, all subject to a rigorous selection criteria to ensure suitability.
Property guardian requirements:
- Over 21 years of age
- In full-time employment or a mature student
- Non-smoker
- Do not have household pets
- Do not have a criminal record
Additional requirements prior to move-in:
- Photographic ID (Passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (current utility bill or bank statement)
- Employment reference (if you have been in your current role for at least 12 months)
- Character reference (from someone you have known for at least 3 years)
- CRB check
What to expect from property guardianship
One of the things that appeals to individuals in becoming a property guardian is they share values around community and alternative ways of living. In addition, with the price of buying a property increasing becoming out of reach for so many, property guardianships provide an excellent method of helping save money towards a deposit.
We have guardian housing opportunities at various locations across the UK, both in towns and more rural areas. Guardians are required to sign a code of conduct before any occupation. This ensures they maintain standards of respect for each other and the property they live in. This contributes to a community where everyone can live in harmony.
The housing crisis in London means that demand for vacancies there is acute, with the properties we manage there tend to getting filled very quickly. If you are able to move at short notice then you will usually find it easier to secure a property through us.
In conclusion, life as a live-in guardian is rewarding and the experience is sure to open your eyes to an alternative way of living and make new friends for life.
live in guardian
Life as a live in guardian
Becoming a live in guardian offers many benefits – from huge cost savings compared to renting, to the experience of living with people from different walks of life. The experience of being a property guardian is both enriching and life changing.
Scroll down to find out more about what to expect.
“I’ve made friends for life and saved thousands.”
Amy – property guardian, Bristol
What does being a live in guardian entail?
Your primary responsibility will be to protect and maintain the property you are occupying. This includes reporting any issues you encounter during your stay there at the earliest opportunity.
Property guardianship does not require you to undertake any security functions or essential maintenance work (e.g. plumbing or electrical). We will provide you with 24/7 emergency numbers in the event of a threat or risk to you or the property.
How much does it cost?
Our live-in guardians contribute from as little as £30 / week up to £100 per week depending on the property. This includes all utility bills.
Are there any other costs involved I should be aware of?
We require a £300 deposit on move-in date. This is fully refundable once you move out of the property, provided you leave it in the same condition. We do not charge a registration fee.
Can I live with my partner?
Yes you can. However, they will also have to register and undergo our vetting procedure. They will also be required to sign a copy of the property guardian licence agreement.
What is the notice period?
We operate a 30 day notice period. Before moving in we will provide an indication of how long you will be able to occupy the property for. We will always try and find you another property within our guardian housing scheme to move to once the occupation comes to an end.
Are the properties furnished?
Some properties are fully furnished. In those that are not, we will always ensure you are provided with access to kitchen and bathroom facilities with hot water. Due to the temporary nature of property guardianship, we do not provide broadband or landline telephones. Requests will be considered for property guardians to install a landline/broadband at their own cost.
Will I be classified as a tenant?
No. We secure vacant properties by placing Guardians in a living space within a property on a short-term license, not an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). Guardians are license holders who agree to provide security by occupation for the building they are living in on behalf on Property Guardians and the property owner. A tenancy can be defined as having possession of land or a property for a period of time agreed by a landlord (AST).
A guardian’s license is an agreement to secure an empty property. This includes a 30 day notice period allowing the property owner to gain full access to the building again. We’ll always endeavour to give you more notice than that, and also help you find somewhere to move to next.
Do you have a long waiting list?
This really depends on your flexibility to move. Property guardian vacancies in London are especially popular, and the properties we manage there get filled quickly. If you are able to move at short notice then you will usually find it easier to secure a property through us.
We keep details of every applicant on our register. As soon as a suitable property that fits your timeframe and preferred location becomes available we will contact you to move your application forward.
What to expect as a guardian
Become a property guardian
In an age of sky-high rents, housing shortages, and unaffordable house prices, it’s little wonder why becoming a property guardian is experiencing huge popularity. It’s one of the fastest growing forms of property occupation in the UK – safe, secure and socially conscious.
We place live-in guardians into a wide variety of vacant properties. Guardian housing includes warehouse loft spaces, empty houses, former care homes, shops and business premises. Guardianships can vary in length, from as little as three months to over a year, depending on the circumstances.
“I can’t recommend this scheme highly enough –
it helped me turbocharge my savings for a deposit on a house”.
Shane, property guardian, London
Benefits of property guardianship
Property guardianship provides a vital stream of affordable housing to key-workers and young professionals. It also helps tackle the blight of decaying, boarded up properties filling our towns and cities. These factors combine to improve community cohesion and tackle the housing crisis.
Scroll down to read our selection criteria, and find out what to expect from becoming a live in guardian.
Property guardian requirements:
- Over 21 years of age
- In full-time employment or a mature student
- Non-smoker
- Do not have household pets
- Do not have a criminal record
Additional requirements prior to move-in:
- Photographic ID (Passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (current utility bill or bank statement)
- Employment reference (if you have been in your current role for at least 12 months)
- Character reference (from someone you have known for at least 3 years)
- CRB check
“What’s not to like? I live in a central location and
pay a fraction of the market rate for a huge room”.
Adam, property guardian, Brighton
What to expect as a property guardian
Our guardians always tell us that one of the things they love the most about their experience is the opportunity to live in varied properties and build friendships with people they might have otherwise connected with. Individuals become property guardians because they share values around community, bringing empty buildings back to life, and enjoying different experiences.
The experience of being a property guardian is rewarding, and the experience is sure to open your eyes to an alternative way of living. We have opportunities at various locations across the UK, both in towns and more rural areas. Before commencing a property guardianship, you are required to sign a code of conduct to maintain standards of respect for the property and fellow guardians.
If you’d like to discover more about property guardianship, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.
Application form
Property Guardian application form
Complete the form below to register your interest in becoming a property guardian. You will be contacted once a suitable property becomes available.
We also recommend reading our FAQs about what to expect from becoming a live-in guardian.
Checklist
- Over 21 years of age
- In full-time employment or a mature student
- Non-smoker
- Do not have household pets
- Do not have a criminal record
- Have a reliable income / proof of funds
- Can supply housing & employment references
- Not looking to live with children under 18 years of age
property guardian london
Property guardian vacancies in London
More than 20,000 homes in London — and 25,378 in the commuter belt — are empty long term despite the growing housing shortage. Government data shows the hotspots for abandoned properties in London are Barnet, Camden, Croydon, Southwark and Kensington & Chelsea. Each of these boroughs have more than 1,000 homes that have been empty for six months or more.
Rents in the capital have far outstripped the rest of the country over the past decade and have risen more rapidly than inflation, putting an added strain on the working population. At the same time, house prices continue to rise, putting the dreams of home ownership beyond the reach of a generation of young people.
Becoming a property guardian in London is an excellent way to access affordable housing, experience a different way of living, and save money to secure a more stable future.
Property guardianship benefits local communities by tackling crime and antisocial behaviour that empty properties attract. It benefits property owners who get a highly effective means of securing their empty property, and it benefits young professionals and key workers who are seeking affordable housing in the capital.
Our guardian scheme is providing young professionals and key workers with access to affordable housing across the capital, tackling the problem of empty housing in London head on. Property guardian vacancies in London get filled quickly, so when applying make sure you state clearly your availability to move .
Read more about what you can expect from becoming a property guardian in London and apply below to join our community and get the guardian experience.
We have created a checklist of pre-move requirements and also some FAQs for you to review before getting started with your application. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to get in touch.