Safe, secure and socially conscious

Property Guardians is a London based company that provides occupation, protection and management of empty properties using live-in guardians. It’s a cost-effective and low-risk solution to secure empty property.

Our property guardian scheme is helping private landlords, housing associations and charities better manage their voids. We operate primarily in London and the home counties, and also cover cities including Bristol, Brighton, Norwich and Edinburgh – becoming a national standard in empty property management.

There are over 600,000 empty homes in the UK, of which more
than 205,000 have been unoccupied for six months or more.

Property Guardian Scheme

At Property Guardians we are passionate about bringing empty properties back into use and tackle the UK’s housing crisis. According to the most recent government figures released in November 2022, there are 257,331 empty homes in England classed as long-term empty.

Despite recent legislation outlawing squatting (only applicable to residential property), the costs of repairs from damage caused can quickly spiral. Empty properties also become a target for antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping and scrap metal thieves.

Using our scheme, property owners receive reliable, flexible and cost-effective property security. Communities avoid the issues that empty properties attract, and key-workers get access to affordable housing.

22,000 homes are sitting empty in London,
with a total value of over £12.2 billion.

The percentage of vacant dwellings in the capital
has more than doubled in the last five years.

How property guardianship works

Property owner enters into an agreement with Property Guardians authorising us to provide services to secure empty property

Property Guardians grants non-exclusive licences to occupy the property to our guardians, allowing them to occupy and secure the empty property with a 30 day break clause.

Property Guardians manage the vacant property throughout the term of the agreement, including undertaking inspections and providing status reports to the owner.

On termination of the agreement between Property Guardians and the owner, our licence with the live-in guardians terminates and the property is returned within 30 days.

“This property guardian scheme has transformed the way we manage
our voids and helped us make big savings across the business.”

Ian – Housing Officer, London 

Find out more about our property guardian scheme