Property guardians move with the times to save cash

Image source, Kevin Harris

It's a big deal to move home. Ask Kevin. In the last eight years, he has done it eight times. He has lived in some interesting places.

He says that he's lucky that he's in a place that's a little out of the ordinary.

That's a pretty big deal. He has homes that include a former children's nursery, a hunting lodge and a police station.

An old building in west London is where I live today. Records by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd were pressed there.

The building has 30 people in it. The old work space has been converted into a living space with each resident having their own room. Some people enjoy their showers while others don't. The kitchen facilities are open to the public.

The residents pay an average of £350 a month.

Kevin is a property guardian in the UK. He pays a monthly fee to live in an empty building.

There is a monthly licence agreement that gives the guardian less rights than a full tenancy, but they can only be given 28 days notice to leave.

If the properties don't already have sleeping, cooking and washing facilities, they should be. They need to have functioning water and power supplies.

The buildings are looked after by the management companies. It is thought that occupied properties are less likely to be used for criminal activity. It is cheaper to use a security firm than it is to use one.

Image source, Kevin Harris

The housing shortage and cost-of-living crisis have caused demand to increase.

More than 30,000 people applied to become property guardians in the year 2020. That is expected to increase to 50,000 this year.

The sector may not be able to meet demand because of a lack of owners. They are deterred by having to comply with planning regulations when they only offer temporary housing.

Eight years ago, Kevin became a guardian after a bad experience with a private landlord.

He says that the cost of guardianship is mostly cheaper than renting. You will get more space for your money more often than not.

He says there's a lack of security.

He works as a prop builder on movies such as Aliens and Tomb Raider, which means he has a lot of equipment at home on top of his possessions. It's a lot of stress having to pack my kit and leave.

Kevin has never lived in an unsafe area.

Image source, Matthew and Luciane Whitaker

Kevin is an older person. Matthew and Luciane are new to each other. Four months ago, they moved into the grounds of an abandoned church. They pay a monthly fee for their home.

They didn't know a lot about the scheme.

They took the leap again because of the prospect of cheap accommodations.

"With all the prices going up this year, we thought this would be ideal to save a bit of money - maybe buy a house in the next year or two."

He isn't put off by the month-to-month living arrangement even though it would be difficult to move at short notice.

It is one of the risks we took. Hopefully, it works out.

Image source, PGPA

The sector is represented by the PGPA, which is the closest thing to a governing body. The rules and standards for its members are set out.

The chair of the PGPA wants to clear up a misconception.

He reiterates that empty buildings are more likely to attract anti-social behaviour and squatters. They are not expected to patrol the building.

He doesn't believe that guardianship is a last resort.

"We've had people who are approaching retirement, teachers for example, who want to save up money so that they can buy their dream cottage."

It isn't for everyone, he warns. You have to be ready to have a more communal lifestyle.

Tenants need to know that the management companies watch the building. The room can be inspected to make sure the property is safe.

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There are about 100,000 property guardians in the Netherlands. It hasn't broken into the mainstream in the UK.

There are concerns about living standards. Poor conditions prevail in England according to a recent report. The study states that the sector is not professionalised despite efforts by some companies.

Graham Sievers says it is important to crack down on bad practice and that the companies they deal with should be accredited.

He wants them to contact the authorities if they are in danger. It's not enough for the sector to be left to its own devices. He would like the government to support him more.

A spokesman for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said that they don't encourage property guardian as a form of housing. We know that people have the right to make their own decisions about their housing choices and property guardians should follow our guidance on their rights and responsibilities.

Matthew and his wife are happy to stay within the system, even if they have to leave at short notice. They don't think of it as a long term option.

Matthew says it is time to settle down once you have a family. It would be a difficult situation with children.

Image source, Kevin Harris

Kevin Harris from west London thinks there is a limit even though he has made a lot of money.

He has made close friends through his time as a guardian.

He says he's 55 years old. I don't think I can do this forever.