Beyond being wasted space, unused community buildings can quickly become a problem for everyone around them. This happened at Everist Court, a much-loved space that sat empty for too long.
Once a centre for the surrounding community, it slowly turned into a hotspot for antisocial behaviour. Local residents complained, costs rose for the council, and the space that should have supported people ended up draining resources instead. City Guardians stepped in and changed the outcome.
Today, Everist Court is occupied by vetted guardians who live on site, look after the building, and keep it safe. It’s a great example of how vacant property security can support entire communities when it is done well.
How Everist Court Became a Safe and Active Space Again
When Everist Court first came to us, it had been empty long enough to attract trouble. Maintaining the empty building was becoming difficult and expensive for the local council. Then there were also the risks of a vacant property, such as the potential for squatters, vandalism, and antisocial behaviour.
This is a common issue for unused community spaces. They are highly visible and easy to access, so they can decline quickly if they are not looked after.
We carried out a full inspection of the building and agreed that guardianship was the right fit. Within days, we prepared the space, completed compliance checks, and placed responsible guardians inside. This simple change made the problems stop almost overnight.
The local community no longer saw an empty building, but rather a lived-in place with lights on, movement inside, and people who cared about the space they occupied.
The building is now safe, clean, actively used, and no longer a financial drain. According to research by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, councils spent over £88 million on insuring, securing, and maintaining empty buildings across a recent two-year period. Everist Court shows how easily that cycle can be reversed.
Why Community Spaces Are Perfect for Property Guardianship
Community buildings have huge potential. They’re often large, well-located, and built to be used by groups of people. When they stand empty, they become a burden, but when they’re lived in, they become an asset again.
Property guardianship offers a unique solution. It allows owners to secure a building at zero cost while giving key workers and local professionals a safe place to live.
Unlike standard security measures, guardianship does not rely on static guards or expensive surveillance. The presence of people who treat the space as their home makes a far stronger impact.
City Guardians prepares each site so the living spaces are safe and comfortable. Once guardians move in, the atmosphere changes. You no longer have a cold, empty building that attracts unwanted behaviour. Instead, you have life inside, with people who naturally look out for the property.
Vacant Property Security for Community Buildings
While securing vacant community buildings may seem like a daunting and expensive task, with the right solution in place, it doesn’t have to be.
Why Property Guardianship Beats Traditional Security
When property owners compare guardianship with conventional protection, there is a clear difference.
Security guards are expensive and can only be present during assigned hours, CCTV cameras help, but cannot prevent access or damage. Community buildings also often have multiple entry points, which makes physical security expensive and difficult to manage.
Guardianship removes the biggest risk factor by making the building look occupied. People are far less likely to target a place that clearly has residents inside. This is the core of effective vacant property security, and it’s why guardianship has become so popular with councils and charitable housing providers.
Adding Value to the Community
Guardians living inside unused community buildings bring life back into areas that have lost local services and meeting spaces.
Clients often tell us that neighbours feel more relaxed once guardians move in. They see people coming and going, which brings back stability again. The negative activity fades because the building is no longer a target.
We’ve seen this pattern repeated many times. When a community space is used well, even in a temporary way, it stops dragging the area down and begins contributing something positive again.
Reducing Costs for Owners
Most owners want to protect their buildings, but do not want large bills attached. Property guardianship gives them a practical alternative.
With guardianship, there are no security fees, maintenance costs drop because guardians help identify issues early, and insurance premiums often fall once the property is no longer vacant. And if the site previously generated complaints or repeated call-outs, those costs disappear as well.
With guardianship programmes in place, community providers and charities can free up budget to reinvest in their main services. This includes support programmes, food hubs, and local welfare projects. When you remove the financial drain of an empty building, the money goes back into the community that needs it.
A Safe and Reliable Way to Repurpose Empty Spaces
Property guardianship turns unused community spaces into stable and meaningful places again. Everist Court is the perfect example. A building that once attracted antisocial behaviour is now lived in, cared for, and part of the local area again. The owner has saved money, the community feels safer, and the space has a purpose while it waits for long-term plans.
This approach can be replicated across London and beyond. If you manage community properties, charity buildings, or unused commercial spaces, guardianship can help you reduce risk, protect your assets, and give something valuable back to your local area.
If you want to secure your property, support your community, and save money at the same time, speak to City Guardians today.
