Vacant property security is something you shouldn’t take lightly. Whether it’s a disused office, an old care home or an empty retail space, leaving a building empty comes with many risks.
From break-ins and vandalism to squatters and sky-high business rates, vacant buildings are more to manage than you might think. And if you leave these risks to accumulate, they can become very expensive and difficult to deal with later down the line. That’s where property guardians come in.
Property guardianship is a smarter, safer and more cost-effective way to protect your building with live-in protection that works around the clock.
Let’s walk you through the six biggest benefits of using property guardians to secure your vacant space.
1. 24/7 Presence Without 24/7 Costs
Traditional security can cost a fortune. CCTV might seem like a good middle ground, but it doesn’t stop intruders.
Guardianship, on the other hand, offers a genuine presence at no cost to you. Live-in guardians naturally deter crime by simply being there. No expensive guard patrols that you can’t always rely on, and no false alarms. Property guardianship is smart, live-in security that works.
And property guardians don’t only protect your space, they cut costs too. There are no hidden fees, no lock-in contracts, and no overpriced extras. It’s a straightforward and transparent way to deter vandalism and squatting in your vacant property.
2. Business Rate Mitigation
If you’ve ever paid business rates on an empty building, you know how quickly those costs add up.
Empty property relief only goes so far, and once it ends, the cost of simply owning an empty building can be eye-watering.
Guardianship gives you another option. When a building is occupied by residential licensees, it can switch from business rates to council tax. That can provide huge financial relief.
3. Quick Turnaround
Problems with vacant properties can spring up quickly. So, you need a vacant property security solution that responds fast.
Once you’re on board with property guardianship, your building is brought up to standard and vetted guardians are placed in your property very efficiently. We’re talking days, not weeks.
And when you work with a service like City Guardians, our team handles everything from setup and compliance to live-in management and reporting.
Quite simply, if your property is exposed, we’ll get it covered quickly, cleanly and without any fuss.
4. Building Preservation
Empty buildings fall apart faster than people realise. Damp, decay and fly-tipping can set in within weeks. Squatters and trespassers often leave behind serious damage that’s expensive to fix.
With guardianship, your property stays in use. Guardians look after your space like it’s their own, because they live there.
That means regular cleaning, fresh air, warm pipes and working fixtures. It also means early reporting of any issues, so minor repairs stay minor.
And because your guardianship provider will carry out regular inspections, you stay in the loop the whole time.
5. Community Impact
Guardians bring unused buildings back to life. These guardians are often key workers, creatives and professionals who need affordable places to live. They’re part of the local community. And when they move into an empty property, they transform it.
What was once an empty space in the community becomes a home. Lights come on at night, the letterbox doesn’t overflow, and the neighbours feel safer.
This means guardianship is good for your building, good for the area, and good for people who need somewhere to live.
6. Transparent Inspections and Real Support
When you partner with a provider like City Guardians, you get full transparency on your building at all times. This includes clear, regular reports on their building’s condition and status.
Our guardians are vetted, supported and checked in with regularly. And our property team is always on hand if something needs doing.
So, beyond security, guardians help to maintain vacant properties. Maintenance becomes a lot more effective, and visibility is enormously improved.
Secure Your Vacant Property With Guardianship
Guardianship may be a smart security option for vacant property security, but it offers so much more than just protection. It’s a complete strategy that protects your property, cuts your costs, improves maintenance, and keeps your building in use until you’re ready for the next step.
And with the right guardianship provider, you’re in safe hands. Things happen fast, professionally and with proactive support. It’s the most efficient way to turn empty buildings into safe, affordable homes for people who need them.
Want to see if guardianship could work for your property? Speak to our team to see how we can get started.
