Last year, we estimated that a vacant commercial property can cost upwards of £100,000/year to securely & adequately maintain. Money spent on security services, building maintenance fees and insurance premiums quickly add up. More often than not, landlords find themselves spending a huge amount of money to secure a property that isn’t making them any profit.

When mismanaged, vacant commercial properties can be a huge drain on resources. If you’ve found yourself reading this article, then you’re probably already familiar with how expensive it can get. However, there is an effective and cheaper alternative – Property Guardianship.

We’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you spend less on your vacant property with the help of property guardians. But firstly, if you’re not familiar with how guardianship works, here’s a short summary:

‘Property guardianship is a relatively new sub-sector of the security industry, where guardians move into vacant properties in order to provide 24-hour, live-in security. It’s a simple solution to the increasingly difficult problem of securing a vacant property.’

If you want to know more about the ins & outs of property guardianship check out this more in-depth summary. Or get in touch with us today to find out how we could help you.

5 Ways Property Guardians Can Save You Money

#1. No Need for Vacant Property Insurance.

With guardians, your property is no longer considered empty by the council or insurance companies. This eliminates the need for vacant property insurance. At an average cost of 50% on top of your current yearly premium, vacant property insurance can be a huge expense for landlords. Property guardians live on-site in their capacity as guardians, so the buildings’ primary use remains the same and you can save hundreds (if not thousands) of pounds.

#2. Save on Council Tax & Empty Building Rates.

As property guardians become temporary residents of the property, they take on the responsibility of paying council tax. As the property is no longer considered vacant, the second bonus is that empty property rates generally won’t apply. Meaning you are able to reduce your outgoings and make significant savings. Property rates liability can be complicated and confusing, but we have a dedicated member of the team who can help you get the reductions you’re entitled to.

#3. Avoid Squatters and the Associated Costs.

Squatting is potentially the biggest threat to vacant properties. Under UK legislation introduced in 2012, is it not against the law to squat in a vacant commercial property. Meaning that if your vulnerable empty building becomes a victim of squatting, you cannot forcibly evict the squatters, causing huge long-term financial problems. With guardians looking after the property 24/7, we can help protect the building from the devastating realities of squatting.

#4. Reduce Maintenance Costs.

With property guardians on site 24 hours a day to catch small problems before they become expensive damage, you can potentially save yourself thousands in repair costs. Empty properties are vulnerable to all sorts of damage, from rodent infestations to burst pipes. Many of the most expensive maintenance issues are things that could easily be solved if caught early. At Blue Door Property Guardians, we facilitate regular patrols to make sure your building is in good shape at all times.

#5. Invest in Your Community to Invest in Yourself

Unfortunately, long term vacant properties often have a negative economic impact on the communities they reside in. Before long, a vicious cycle is formed as the vacant property loses value as a result of its own effect on the community. When property guardians are used to secure a building, they bring new life and energy into what would be a wasted space. From artists to key workers and everything in between, our guardians are always vetted working professionals. They add value to an area by A) protecting a vulnerable property to lower local crime rates, and B) bringing key skills that they can use to support local resources. It’s simple; when the community benefits, real estate value is protected.

Blue Door Property Guardians Zero-Cost Solution.

We’re one of the few property guardian providers in London to offer our services at zero cost to the landlord. So, you can maximise your potential savings and make the most out of your vacant property.

Any questions? If you’re interested in finding out more, get in touch today and speak to a member of the team about how we can help.