Empty Homes Week 2025 - The Role of Blue Door Property Guardians & Revitalising Communities

As we mark Empty Homes Week 2025, it is vital to shine a light on the growing issue of vacant properties across the UK. Currently, nearly 700,000 homes sit empty and unfurnished, with over 265,000 classed as long-term vacant. When factoring in holiday lets and second homes, the total exceeds one million - meaning that approximately one in every 25 homes is unoccupied.

Empty properties are more than just wasted housing stock; they contribute to neighbourhood decline, attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and create missed opportunities for those in need of a home. With the UK facing an ongoing housing crisis, bringing these properties back into use is more important than ever.

The Environmental Benefits of Repurposing Empty Homes

The Government 2021 Net Zero Strategy sets out a series of policies and commitments designed to enable the UK to reach net zero by 2050, so retrofitting and repurposing empty homes is not only a social necessity but also an environmentally sustainable choice. Research suggests that reusing existing buildings can reduce carbon emissions by 50-80% compared to new-build developments, so focusing on empty homes is a practical and effective way to cut emissions while providing much-needed housing.

Blue Door Zero Cost Security : Your Solution for Vacant Properties

Blue Door Property Guardians offer a creative and cost neutral solution for managing vacant buildings. By placing carefully selected, responsible Guardians into vacant residential and commercial properties, we provide a zero cost security solution for property owners. This ensures buildings are fully occupied, well-maintained and safeguarded from risks such as squatting, arson and theft, which can breach Insurance Policy.

Benefit to Property Owners

Choosing Blue Door Property Guardians offers property owners multiple advantages

• Security – Live -in 24/7 zero cost security 24/ 7 365 days of the year, avoiding high cost traditional security measures such as CCTV, alarm systems and security personnel.

• Cost Savings –Neutral cost with annual savings of over £200,000+

• Property Maintenance – Blue Door takes care of day-today maintenance, no more worries about water ingress, flooding or fire.

• Community Engagement – Occupied properties contribute positively to local communities, deterring crime and enhancing safety of the area.

Advantages for Blue Door Property Guardians

For individuals looking for affordable housing solutions, becoming a property guardian with Blue Door offers:

• Lower Living Costs – Guardians typically pay 30-40% less than market rental prices, making city living more affordable.

• Unique Homes – The chance to live in a variety of interesting properties, from former schools to office spaces and listed buildings, often in sought-after locations and close to public transport.

• A Sense of Community – Many guardians enjoy a communal lifestyle, sharing spaces with like-minded professionals and making friendships.

Empty Homes Week 2025 reminds us of the urgent need to address the issue of vacant properties across the UK. Blue Door Property Guardians are leading the way in transforming these spaces, benefiting both property owners and working professionals seeking affordable accommodation. By embracing our innovative solution, we can work together towards a future where empty homes are put to good use, creating thriving and sustainable communities.

How Much of your Salary Should you Spend on Rent?

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), rent should be no more than 30% of your income. But what is the reality, and what does that mean for different regions and salaries? 

Here’s the breakdown.

Defining “Affordability”

Affordability is obviously a slippery term to define. Some people need rent to be low because they have more expensive lifestyles (or children to raise). Others don’t mind spending more on rent, since they prefer to spend their evenings at home cooking, rather than buying expensive meals out. 

It’s all relative, but very loosely, 30% of your income being spent on rent allows for 20% to be spent on bills, student loan repayments/other essential living costs and 50% on lifestyle and saving.

How Much Should Someone on a 20k Salary Spend on Rent?

For someone on a 20k salary (£1439 a month –  after tax), affordable rent at 30% would be £431.70 per month, with £287.8 per month on bills/living costs and £719.50 for living. Sounds reasonable right?

Well, yes. However, in reality, the UK housing market doesn't allow for such a reasonable distribution, and certain areas make finding flats to rent at £431.70 a month impossible. 

For someone needing a one-bedroom apartment in London, for example, it’s rare to find anywhere under £1000, and £650-750 is average for cities like Birmingham or Leeds or Manchester.

In fact, in order to afford a 1-bed in London, someone on an entry-level £20k salary would need to spend 70% of their (post-tax) earnings on rent, plus significantly more in bills and council tax. 

Of course, 20k earners rarely go for this, and instead opt to flatshare in order to save money. Even flatsharing, however, it is rare for someone to find a room in London for less than £600, making their monthly rent £170 over the “affordable” budget margin.

What are the Cheaper Alternatives to Renting?

It’s clear that due to the state of the UK housing market, a new solution is needed when it comes to renting. Higher salaries will always be the number one option, but in the interim, seeking out low-cost, alternative rental solutions are also important for those on lower salaries in big cities. 

One option is Property Guardianship, a fairly new concept, which allows individuals to temporarily inhabit vacant residential or commercial properties at lower than average rent. These properties are vulnerable to vandalism or squatters if left empty for too long, so landlords and property managers open them up to Property Guardians to legally inhabit the property and provide 24/7 security – simply by living there!

It’s a great solution because it allows people on lower incomes (or simply those that want to save on rent) to live in characterful properties in desirable locations, at a fraction of normal market rental costs.

If you want to find out more about becoming a Guardian, check out our website, where we include lengthy information guides and FAQs for potential Guardians. 

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Curious to find out more about becoming a Guardian? Or got a vacant property you’d like protected? Contact us today via our web-form, or call 02078594213 for advice on how Blue Door Property Guardians can help you.