What Local Councils Should Know About Guardianship Solutions
Local councils across the UK manage a wide range of properties. From former offices and libraries to unused housing awaiting redevelopment, there are many buildings sitting empty.
These are valuable assets, and they’re just sitting vacant. They cost councils money and pose serious security risks. Squatting, vandalism, and the properties quickly deteriorating are just some of the issues of leaving buildings empty.
This is where you need the right solution for vacant property protection.
Property guardianship is ideal for councils. It’s a cost-effective solution with plenty of social benefits.
Property guardianship involves placing vetted individuals into empty buildings under a licence agreement. In return for low-cost living, these guardians provide an around-the-clock presence, which protects the property and keeps it in active use.
City Guardians works directly with councils to deliver this model. We ensure council assets are protected, communities are supported, and public money is used wisely.
Why Guardianship is a Smart Solution for Local Councils
The public sector is always under pressure to get maximum value from its assets while serving local residents. In this context, vacant buildings are missed opportunities.
Property guardianship allows councils to turn these liabilities into affordable living spaces for the very people who keep communities running. Think teachers, NHS staff, cleaners, civil servants, and other key workers.
When a local council works with a guardianship service, they get fully managed vacant property protection that’s both compliant and community-focused.
Instead of expensive static security or boarded-up façades, councils get well-maintained buildings occupied by responsible professionals.
This arrangement also helps the increasing demand for affordable, flexible housing, which is particularly valuable as councils across the UK face pressure to deliver on national housing targets.
Property Guardianship Can Help Local Needs and National Goals
With the government’s recent announcement of mandatory housing targets for councils to help deliver 1.5 million homes, local authorities are under growing pressure to unlock affordable housing solutions.
Property guardianship is a natural fit for helping this issue.
First, repurposing vacant council-owned buildings through property guardianship helps to meet these targets.
It also reduces costs related to business rates, council tax, and security. With average guardian licence fees often sitting at 40% to 60% below market rent, this model is already helping working people stay in areas where they might otherwise be priced out.
Property guardianship is that it allows councils to offer short- to medium-term accommodation to local key workers. This helps retain essential staff, reduce commuting pressures, and support the local economy.
What’s more, buildings remain in meaningful use while they wait on planning permission or regeneration. As a result, councils avoid unnecessary spending on business rates, insurance premiums, and ongoing reactive maintenance.
The savings can then be reinvested into new developments, community housing projects, or essential infrastructure.
Guardianship is More Than Just Vacant Property Protection
The cost of leaving a property empty can spiral quickly.
From rising insurance premiums to emergency repairs caused by weather, vandalism or fly-tipping, every day a building sits unused is a day it costs more.
Property guardianship turns that around. Instead of draining resources, these buildings become assets with a purpose. They become hubs for community-minded professionals who want to live affordably and give back.
For councils, this means fewer complaints, lower overheads and improved outcomes for local people.
For communities, it means safer streets, more engaged residents, and increased access to affordable housing.
For the buildings themselves, it means a chance to remain active and intact while long-term plans are finalised.
How City Guardians Partners with Councils
City Guardians can work alongside local authorities to deliver safe, efficient and socially conscious vacant property protection.
We take a collaborative approach, which starts with a free inspection to assess the suitability of the building, taking into account any necessary upgrades.
We then take responsibility for bringing the building up to safety standards and handling all aspects of occupancy.
From compliance and fire safety to utility management and maintenance, City Guardians ensures every detail is covered. Our guardians are thoroughly vetted, fully employed professionals who go through referencing and affordability checks.
Once in place, they help deter antisocial behaviour, maintain cleanliness, report maintenance issues, and bring life to spaces that might otherwise fall into decline.
Guardianship is not a permanent housing solution, and it’s not intended to be. But it is a valuable part of a broader strategy to make better use of public assets and support communities when both budgets and housing stock are under pressure.
If your local authority manages empty buildings and wants to reduce risk, save money and support key workers, we’re here to help. Get in touch to find out how guardianship can transform your vacant spaces into community assets.
