Property guardianship
A property guardian is someone who lives in a building that would otherwise be left empty and in return for taking care of the building pays a very low level of rent. It has been promoted as a new and affordable means of living in expensive urban areas such as London. Guardians are expected to live in the property on a full-time basis, ensure it is secure and well-maintained.
It has been estimated that 70% of the properties requiring guardians are commercial, but some are also private homes. They could be vacant due to:
- The property’s owners being overseas.
- The property being put up for sale.
- Waiting for planning permission.
- Developers waiting until the property market improves before selling it.
Whilst the type of building may vary from stately home to unfurnished flat, there are some basic requirements before it can be let to a guardian:
- It must be wind and water tight.
- It must not be vandalised or derelict.
- It must have basic electricity and water facilities.
The benefits of having a property guardian include:
- Costs are saved on expensive security systems.
- As the property will count as being ‘occupied’, insurance premiums are considerably lower than if it were classified as ‘vacant’.
- As there is an occupant the building is legally protected against squatting.
- The property will be maintained, heated and aired.
- The property is more likely to maintain its value.
The benefits for those looking to become property guardians are that it can offer the chance to live in desirable locations, or in interesting buildings, for much lower rent than they would otherwise be expected to pay.
The disadvantages to being a guardian are that the usual renting rights do not apply. There is also the insecurity of the tenure, which can vary from two or three months to several years depending on the circumstances of the property.
If the property is sold or the developer/owner decides they wish to make use of the property, the guardian must vacate the building, often with as little as two weeks’ notice. Guardianship companies that vet and allocate applicants generally try to re-house guardians, but finding another property cannot be guaranteed.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Buy-to-let mortgage.
- Commonhold.
- Empty dwelling management orders.
- Freehold.
- Ground rent.
- Housing cooperative.
- Housing tenure.
- How to evict a tenant.
- Landlord.
- Landlord and Tenant Act.
- Leasehold.
- Private rented sector.
- Property ownership.
- Resident.
- Shared ownership.
- SHED concept.
- Squatting.
- What is a mortgage?
Featured articles and news
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.