'I pay £580 a month to live in a disused care home': Property guardians show us around
Summary
A growing number of people in the UK are living as property guardians in empty buildings like former care homes to pay lower rent. These guardians help protect the properties from damage but have fewer legal rights and can be asked to leave with little notice.Key Facts
- Property guardians pay 30-50% less rent than typical tenants in exchange for looking after empty buildings.
- Guardians often live in unusual spaces such as disused care homes, schools, pubs, or banks.
- They hold a "license to occupy," which gives them fewer rights than normal renters, including less protection against eviction.
- One guardian, Katrina, pays £580 a month in London, which is about £400 less than average rent in the city.
- Buildings can be run down with problems like leaks and damaged walls, but often have unique features like large windows and high ceilings.
- The number of property guardians in the UK is estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000, mostly in big cities and aged 20-35.
- Guardians live communally and share facilities, leading to both social benefits and occasional conflicts.
- Property guardian companies claim to carefully check applicants and quickly remove people who cause problems.
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