The Backstory
City Guardians began with a simple belief: vacant property security could and should be better. That belief drove our founding director, Rob, to take matters into his own hands.
With years of experience in property development and property trading, Rob found himself trying to secure vacant buildings between uses. The usual options (guards, cameras, and costly static solutions) didn’t quite work. They were expensive, often ineffective, and didn’t help preserve the property itself.
During his search, Rob met Sarah who is now City Guardians Head of New Business. A powerhouse in the housing world, Sarah brought over two decades of experience in social and affordable housing, along with a deep understanding of the property guardianship model.
Together, they saw the opportunity to do something different. Something better.
Rob had the vision. Sarah brought the expertise. And between them, they realised that property guardianship wasn’t just a stopgap – it could be a powerful, community-focused solution for protecting vacant buildings while supporting those in need of affordable housing.
But there was a catch: many guardianship companies out there were missing the mark, either on standards, support, or service. So, Rob and Sarah set out to build a company that could raise the bar and redefine what property guardianship really means.
One Year Later
Fast forward 12 months, and City Guardians is now securing over 50 spaces across London and the surrounding area.
Our guardians are locals and often keyworkers who have, through us, been able to find an affordable home in their area.
From day one, we’ve made it our mission to listen first – to both property owners and guardians. We know what it’s like to try and secure a vacant property and feel let down by the available options. That’s why we’re committed to offering a reliable, cost-effective solution that doesn’t compromise on security, preservation, or people.
We also know that this is a two-way street. We receive as much as we give. Prioritising guardian happiness and wellbeing is just as important as protecting a client’s asset, and we’re proud to be doing both.
With communication at the forefront of our work, we’ve been able to give a personal touch to every client and guardian we’ve had the pleasure of working with. Whether that’s by attending inspections, carrying out viewings ourselves, or being present to help a client take back control of their vacant property, to us, every aspect of this process is equally as important. It’s that level of detail and care that we believe sets us apart from other guardianship providers.
Looking to The Future
So, what’s next for City Guardians?
We’re growing, building new relationships, securing more properties, and helping more key workers and low-income locals find safe, affordable places to live. As demand rises, we’re focused on scaling the right way: maintaining our personal approach, high standards, and commitment to both sides of the guardianship story.
With over 50 spaces under management, our next milestone is to double that number and expand our reach one guardian, one building, one community at a time.
We believe the best way to protect a vacant property is to fill it with life – and we’re here to make that happen.
Contact us today to secure your vacant property.
