Vacant Property Protection

Live-in Guardians is the market leader in vacant property protection. Through Property Guardianship, we aim to provide a reliable and commercial solution to the problems created by empty buildings.

Property Guardianship is a unique solution to protecting empty buildings. A Property Guardian is someone who has entered into an agreement to live in a building or part of a building that would otherwise be empty, for the primary purpose of securing and safeguarding the property. By occupying the space, a Guardian is helping to deter potential intruders, as well as keep the building clean and tidy.

By keeping these spaces safely and legally occupied at all times, property owners can rest assured, knowing their asset is secure. At the same time, the Guardians living in the property are given comfortable and affordable accommodation in which to live.

Our tried and tested service works by transforming the inside of a vacant commercial building into a fully compliant and safe living space, complete with kitchens and bathrooms. Once the property is ready, our vetted Guardians can move in and keep it safely occupied around the clock. Guardians will live in the property as residents, keeping it clean and updating us on any issues that need solving. In exchange, they pay a license fee which is significantly lower than the price of an average city centre rental.

By choosing Live-in property protection, owners of vacant and vulnerable properties receive a range of benefits that other security options cannot provide. By keeping a property legally occupied with Guardians, owners can become eligible for business rate relief. This allows them to save a huge amount of money which would have otherwise been wasted on an empty building that is not being used for its intended purpose. Owners can also save significantly on outgoings and expenses. Other mainstream security options such as 24-hour security personnel can come with a much higher price tag with average yearly costs for a security guard exceeding £129,000.

As well as the increased cost, with Guardians taking up permanent residence in a property, they can also provide important upkeep services, reducing overall maintenance and janitorial costs. Live-in property protection is a flexible option, and with a 28-day notice period, we can return buildings to property owners, in the same condition they were given to us, with minimal fuss.

Guardians are primarily there to secure and safeguard a property. Keeping a property occupied deters would-be intruders from targeting the building and helps to eradicate the potential of squatting. Guardians, however, are not expected to deal with potential threats or put themselves in confrontational situations. If issues arise, or criminal activity is suspected, Guardians can report the problem to our dedicated team straight away. We will then deal with the problem quickly and professionally. Additionally, if there are any maintenance problems such as leaks or electrical issues, our in-house maintenance team is on hand to rapidly conduct remedial works.

Guardianship as a whole, offers a mutually beneficial relationship for both owner and Guardian. It provides young professionals and key workers the opportunity to live in unique and affordable city centre properties, all whilst reducing or even eliminating costs for owners who would typically be paying costly business rates. Reduced costs, coupled with the peace of mind of knowing their property is being well looked after is what makes Guardianship a perfect solution.

Live in Guardians offer a range of flexible property protection solutions to suit your needs. From Guardians, to Caretakers to general maintenance support and more. To learn more about our vacant property management offering and how we can help you to secure your vacant property, click here.