Property guardianship is a unique way to live that not only provides affordable living arrangements for individuals but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding and revitalising communities. In the face of rising urbanisation, increasing property vacancies, and concerns over security, property guardians offer a practical solution that benefits landlords, tenants, and the wider community. 

What is Property Guardianship?

Property guardianship is a system where individuals, known as property guardians, live in vacant residential or commercial properties in exchange for keeping them safe, secure, and maintained. Guardians do not have the full rights of tenants but occupy the property under a licence agreement which is similar to a tenancy agreement. Our property guardians are scattered all across the UK, but are mostly in urban areas where buildings are often left empty due to things like redevelopment delays and financial issues.

For a small fee, often much less than standard market rent, guardians are given a space to live in and in return, they take on the responsibility of monitoring and maintaining the property, keeping it habitable and secure. While property guardianship is primarily framed as a mutually beneficial arrangement between landlords and residents, it also offers significant benefits to the surrounding community.

Reducing Crime and Vandalism

One of the ways property guardians protect communities is by reducing crime and vandalism in areas with vacant properties. Empty buildings often attract unwanted attention, such as squatting, loitering, or even criminal activity. These properties are prone to becoming hotspots for antisocial behaviour, which can lead to an overall feeling of unease in the surrounding neighbourhood.

By placing responsible individuals in these properties, the chances of break-ins, graffiti, or other criminal activities are significantly reduced. The presence of property guardians acts as a deterrent for crime and offers a sense of security to nearby residents, who otherwise might feel vulnerable living next to an abandoned or unmonitored building.

Preventing Urban Decay

Vacant properties are prone to falling into disrepair without regular upkeep. These buildings can quickly deteriorate, leading to more significant structural issues over time, or worse, affect surrounding properties. This also affects the overall look of a neighbourhood and can cause problems for neighbours. 

Property guardians help to prevent this decay by maintaining the building while it remains unoccupied. They keep the interior clean and tidy, and report any damage or urgent repairs to the owners, which helps us ensure that the property remains in good condition. This upkeep preserves the integrity of the building, keeping the neighbourhood visually appealing and preventing the possibility of more wider spread issues.

Fostering Community Engagement

The presence of property guardians also has a social impact on communities. By occupying otherwise empty buildings, these individuals often become active members of the local area. This helps to maintain a sense of community spirit that might otherwise diminish when properties are left vacant for extended periods.

Property guardians can help bridge gaps in community networks, engage in local activities, and contribute to the vibrancy of the area. In many cases, guardians are younger individuals, artists, or professionals who bring new energy and perspectives to the neighbourhood. Their involvement can stimulate cultural and social activities, encouraging community engagement and strengthening local bonds.

Supporting Urban Regeneration

Property guardianship also plays a role in supporting urban regeneration efforts. Many of the properties we take care of are earmarked for future redevelopment or regeneration projects. However, due to the complexity and length of these projects, properties can sit empty for months or even years. Property guardians help to keep these buildings in good condition until redevelopment can begin, ensuring that they do not become a burden on the community during this interim period.

In some cases, the presence of property guardians can even stimulate earlier regeneration by maintaining the appeal and functionality of a property or area. This can help attract investment and encourage developers to move forward with regeneration plans more quickly, benefiting the community at large.

Providing Affordable Housing Solutions

Property guardianship offers an alternative housing solution in cities where affordable housing is increasingly scarce. Our solution provides individuals with affordable living spaces, often in central locations, which they might otherwise be unable to access due to high rent prices. By offering affordable housing to a wide range of people, property guardianship helps local residents stay in the communities they love, or live amongst like-minded individuals.

At the same time, it provides a temporary solution to housing shortages while longer-term plans for regeneration and housing development are being put into place. In this way, property guardianship addresses immediate housing needs on a more affordable level, whilst the surrounding continues to grow and change.

Overall, property guardianship is an alternative living solution that offers long term benefits to communities. By occupying vacant properties, property guardians reduce crime, prevent decay, foster community engagement, and support urban regeneration. This helps protect the vibrancy and safety of neighbourhoods during periods of transition or uncertainty.

While property guardianship is not a permanent solution to issues such as urban decay or housing shortages, it provides a creative and practical way to manage vacant properties while benefiting the surrounding community. It demonstrates how innovative housing models can play a vital role in safeguarding neighbourhoods, ensuring that urban spaces remain safe, attractive, and welcoming for all residents.