Property Guardians Show Us Around Disused Care Homes and Buildings
Discovering the growing trend of living in vacant commercial and residential buildings in exchange for heavily discounted rent amidst the cost of living crisis.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Property guardians pay 30-50% less rent than private tenants
- They have fewer legal rights and face eviction on 28 days' notice
- An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 guardians live across the UK
- Empty buildings and commercial spaces are converted into temporary homes
As cost of living pressures persist, a growing number of people are applying to become property guardians, residing in vacant residential or commercial properties to protect them from squatters, vandalism, and disrepair.
These individuals typically pay 30% to 50% less rent than private tenants, sometimes with bills included, in exchange for looking after the premises. In return, however, property guardians hold significantly fewer rights than regular renters and can be evicted with only 28 days' notice.
Katrina, 29, has spent the past 10 months living alongside roughly 50 other people in an Edwardian mansion in Hampstead, London, which operated as a care home until 2015. The postgraduate student explained that she could not afford private rent in the capital, currently paying £580 a month for her room, which includes bills and council tax and sits about £400 below the London average.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Katrina notes that she loves the communal aspect of guardianship, describing it as existing somewhere between university halls, a flat share, and a fancy squat. She shares bathrooms, a kitchen, and common living spaces with people ranging from lawyers to artists while regularly socializing.
"Somewhere between living in university halls, a block of flats and a fancy squat"
Katrina
Nevertheless, disputes over issues like noise do occur. While Lowe, the company managing the property, enforces a strict vetting process for its guardians, two residents have been asked to leave due to antisocial behavior, with one accused of sexual harassment.
The property guardianship model addresses dual concerns: property owners seeking to deter squatters and vandals from vacant real estate, and individuals desperately seeking affordable housing in expensive metropolitan areas. However, because guardians hold a licence to occupy rather than a standard tenancy agreement, they lack traditional tenant protections. Understanding the legal nuances and risks is crucial before entering such arrangements.
The Property Guardian Providers Association estimated last year that there are between 10,000 and 15,000 property guardians across the UK, primarily concentrated in major cities and aged between 20 and 35. The trade group reports that application numbers have surged as rental expenses climb.
David Hale, 32, became a guardian nearly 10 years ago to save money and has never lived in standard rental housing. He has spent the last three years residing in a disused school in South London, where open classrooms and offices have been transformed into living quarters for around 20 guardians who share a kitchen and a large garden.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The PGPA believes guardianship could help alleviate the UK's housing shortage by offering affordable temporary accommodation for thousands. The association points out that over a million homes currently stand empty, alongside tens of millions of square feet of non-residential property.
Source: BBC Business
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