Property Security Success: Turning a Former Squatted Building into Affordable Spaces for Key Workers
Vacant buildings can go one of two ways. Either they’re protected, maintained, and put to good use. Or, they’re left exposed to damage, break-ins, and in some cases, unlawful occupation.
For one private developer in Croydon, things took a turn for the worse when squatters took over their vacant commercial building. As a result, serious damage, security concerns, and a very real risk of long-term property decay followed.
That’s where City Guardians came in. We have a track record of helping bring squatter-occupied properties back to life, keeping the building safe and preserving its value in the most efficient way.
The Challenge
Squatting is one of the biggest threats to empty commercial buildings in the UK. Unless there’s criminal damage or theft involved, squatting is legal across the country.
Unfortunately, this often means owners are left vulnerable to long eviction processes and increasing levels of destruction to their buildings. That was exactly the case here.
Once the squatters were removed from the Croydon building, the developer needed a quick solution to stop it from happening again. They needed something more effective and more sustainable than traditional vacant property security.
With the building left exposed and antisocial behaviour on the rise, they needed to act fast. So, City Guardians were brought in to turn the situation around.
The City Guardians Solution
Within just seven working days of eviction, the City Guardians team gave the Croydon property a complete transformation.
First, the team completed a full property clear-out in just two days.
We then did a comprehensive fit-out to ensure the building met our strict safety and compliance standards. This included installing a brand-new kitchen and shower, painting all rooms and bathrooms, and building out secure internal wall partitions to restructure and re-secure the layout.
Everything was done immediately, because when it comes to vacant property security, time is everything.
The first live-in property guardian moved in almost straight away. As soon as they were present, the building entered a new phase of protection, restoration and purpose.
By simply occupying the property, guardians delivered around-the-clock, proactive security. They were protecting the building by living in it, caring for it, and reporting issues before they escalated.
The Result
What started as a vulnerable, squatted property is now a safe, vibrant living space for working professionals, including several key workers who now call the building home.
The guardians have created a genuine sense of community within the space. From sharing meals to hosting games evenings, the building is now fully protected and back to life.
And for the client? They now have a secure property, free from the costs and headaches of vacant property damage or forced-entry risks. Plus, their reputation has been protected, as their building is no longer an unsafe eyesore within the community.
Better yet, this all came at a fraction of the cost of traditional security, with the added benefit of providing affordable housing during a time when people need it most.
There’s a Smarter Way to Secure Property
This case study proves what we already know: property guardianship works. It protects spaces, supports communities and brings empty buildings back into meaningful use. And it does this extremely efficiently.
Property guardianship offers an affordable alternative to traditional security, reducing vacancy costs while deterring vandalism and squatting.
City Guardians follows this model by placing carefully vetted individuals in properties, providing reliable on-site presence and peace of mind at a fraction of the cost of conventional security services.
Are you looking for a better way to secure your vacant property? Work with City Guardians to turn a risk into an opportunity, just like we did in Croydon.
