For many businesses today it is an uphill struggle trying to prevent unlawful access into unoccupied buildings, as well as minimise damage caused by criminals and other people. It is not a crime to leave a building unoccupied, and many businesses need to do so for a number of valid reasons. But it is increasingly difficult to protect empty properties, whether they are offices, houses, flats, or commercial properties.
In order to secure a vacant property, a landlord or owner can try the best they can with security cameras, alarms, boards, and locks. They can hire security guards to watch a property. But all these options prove expensive, particularly in the long run – and considering the amount you have to pay in rates. Security guards are not a cheap option, and they also cannot do anything about apprehending criminals so are largely used as expensive deterrents. Boarding up a building is also not cheap, and it doesn’t always prevent people from accessing the property. The one real solution to the empty property problem is to use a property guardian.
What are Property Guardians?
Property guardians from a company like ADHOCProperty.co.uk are ordinary people who pay to live in a vacant property at a much lower than average rent, in exchange for watching over the place and being on-site should any problems occur. When you use property guardians you don’t need security guards or shutters and boards. You get peace of mind that the building is occupied, which acts as a deterrent.
Security Measures for Property Guardians
Property guardians are normally key workers or young professionals at the start of their career, attracted by the prospect of low rents in cities where it can be hard to afford a place of their own. These people are vetted by property guardian agencies and many give employment references and personal references. A number of guardians usually live in the same property, meaning that it will be occupied at all times of the day and night.
Benefits of Live-In Property Guardians
There are small running costs associated with the use of a property guardianship scheme as the building must be safe, secure, and have running water and amenities. But you also save money on your insurance premiums, which can be lowered as the building is no longer empty. You can also save money on expensive repairs as guardians will notify you if anything goes wrong, which can be quickly fixed before the problem escalates.
A property kept safe by guardians will also be kept heated, ventilated and aired, making it more habitable in the long term and reducing the problems associated with damp and deterioration. Any squatters that occupy the building can be removed by the police as the property is technically in use.
