London is home to over 10% of the country’s vacant properties, with some boroughs being affected far worse than others. In communities with a high proportion of poorly managed long-term vacant property, the negative social and economic impact can have lasting effects. But with property guardianship schemes, landlords and property owners have the opportunity to give back to their local community.

For those who aren’t in the know, property guardianship is a creative solution that supports and sustains communities while the property owner works out the next steps for their vacant building.

Guardians (often key workers, postgraduates or working professionals) move into vacant properties in order to provide low-cost 24-hour, live-in security. It’s a zero-cost alternative to traditional property management methods and makes full use of the building, giving guardians an affordable, temporary housing option in expensive cities. (For a more detailed rundown you can read our blog post here, or get in touch to find out more.)

The scheme brings new purpose into what would otherwise be a vacant property. Instead of abandoning empty buildings behind locks, barbed wire, boards, and CCTV cameras, vacant properties protected with guardians help breathe new life into communities that have been hit hard by the recession.

How Does Property Guardianship Support Local Communities?

Boosts & Strengthens the Local Economy

A vacant property standing empty offers nothing to a community. As soon as the building is locked up and forgotten about - it can no longer provide jobs, housing, or even revenue for the landlord. No one wins in this situation, and often there is a substantial negative impact on the local economy.

However, when guardians move into a property, it’s a win-win situation. Guardians bring their skills, work, talents & money with them. Not only will the guardians be able to join the local workforce – but they contribute to the local economy by supporting small businesses like corner stores and coffee shops. By maintaining empty properties with ambitious, young professionals, a valuable up-and-coming energy is injected into the local community.

There’s also the added benefit that the guardians protect the building to prevent it from becoming victim to squatters, vandalism or other crime. Therefore, securing its worth and future potential to positively contribute to the local economy once more.

Provides Affordable Living for Working Professionals & Artists

At Blue Door, all of our property guardians are vetted, working professionals. From essential key workers to creatives and artists, our guardians represent a large and important portion of the community. However, as renting costs continue to rise, living in London is not an option for everyone.

On average, guardians normally pay 30-40% less than standard market rates. This is because instead of moving in as a ‘tenant’, they move onto the property in their capacity to secure and maintain it. The vacant property is safely secured and looked after, and the guardians are given an affordable alternative that allows them to save money and stay in the city they call home.

Property guardianship has come a long way since it was first introduced. In the early 2000s, opportunists took advantage of the scheme with unfair contracts that didn’t support the community or the guardians. However, thankfully times have moved on, and at Blue Door, we have always protected the rights of our guardians in a way that supports and benefits them to thrive in an alternative living situation.

Maintain the Value of a Space

Whether it’s council property, a warehouse or a retail space – boarding up the windows and locking the doors is a huge waste of resources. Especially when it can actually cost more to maintain & secure an empty property this way.

The longer a property is empty, the more vulnerable it is to criminal damage such as squatting, vandalism or valuable metal theft. All of which can leave a building in a state of disrepair and deter future investors or tenants. There are also other threats, such as weather-related damage or rodent infestations. Before long, a vicious cycle is formed as the vacant property loses value as a result of its own effect on the area surrounding it.

With property guardians to protect a building from damage, its monetary & community value can be better maintained. Making it all the more beneficial to temporarily repurpose vacant properties in a way that support the community.

When property guardians are used to secure a building, they bring new life and energy into what would otherwise be a wasted space. At Blue Door, our role in supporting the community is incredibly important to us. From artists to key workers and everything in between, our guardians add value by protecting a vulnerable property and bringing key skills that they can use to support local resources.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a property guardian, or about using our services to protect your vacant property, you can find our contact details here.