What Can Landlords Expect From Blue Door Property Guardians?

Let’s face it - not only are traditional security costs quite expensive, it’s not often guaranteed that they will work. You could put up fence after fence, try manned security and install alarms but this still leaves room for squatters, graffiti and intruders.

But what are the annual prices of traditional security costs? Let’s break it down:

• 24hr security guard = £130,000

• Monitored alarm system = £63,000

• Boarded up security = £50,000

• Mobile patrol = £32,000

Alongside this, what are the annual prices of squatting? Let’s break this down too:

• Repairs = £1,100

• Bailiffs = £3,500

• Legal fees = £5,200

• Rubbish removal = £8,800

• Locks and doors = £900

Overall, it works out pretty pricey right? That’s why Blue Door Property Guardians are the perfect alternative to traditional security costs. Not only is there a drastic drop in fees, we actually offer a zero cost solution for vacant property security. Sounds too good to be true? Well it isn’t!

So, who are Blue Door Property Guardians?
We are the geniuses behind zero cost solutions for vacant property security. We recognise the fees for traditional security measures can be quite hefty and aren’t always 100% reliable, so we decided something needed to be done about it.

You might be wondering ‘how we can offer zero cost solutions’ and ‘how you can get your security for free’, but we do this through recruiting Guardians to secure your property. No, Guardians are not tenants but they are in fact Licences and their contracts are completely different from those of a tenant. The primary job for a Guardian is to provide 24hr security to your property, whilst giving them a reduced cost solution to living. Not only are you getting the best security there is to offer, you are also giving back to your community and giving Guardians a new opportunity.

What do Guardians actually do?
When you choose to secure your property with us at Blue Door, we recruit the Guardians who are going to be securing your property. The Guardians are fully vetted, have a high security awareness, a reliable attitude and a sound understanding of their role.

Typically, the Guardians are key workers, postgraduates or professionals who are seeking to secure a property in exchange for a low cost solution to living costs - typically between 30%-50% below market rents. Occasionally, the Guardians may also have to pay utility bills and / or council tax, but each property has their own terms that are explained to them prior to signing our Licence Agreement.

The role of a Guardian is to secure the property inside and out with other Guardians who are there for the same reason to stop intruders making their way into the vacant property and destroying it. The property is to be kept clean and tidy with any maintenance issues to be reported to us here at Blue Door, so we can repair them for you. Sometimes we may have to get you involved with the repair maintenance, but we do have a team of knowledgeable and approved tradesmen to help fix up the building to prevent further deterioration through weathering, water ingress and environmental damage. We can carry out maintenance issues from small repairs to major renovations!

Does it matter if my property is commercial? Or does it have to be residential?
The status of your property doesn’t matter to us here at Blue Door. Whether your property is residential or commercial, we can still secure it for you - the primary use of your property stays the absolute same.

Sometimes we may need to put in temporary facilities such as kitchens and showers for the duration that the Guardians are securing your property, but as long as your property has a supply of electricity and water, is watertight and windproof then we can wave our magic wands and get the property ready for the Guardians to secure it.

Once the Guardians are in there, how do you make sure the Guardians are doing their job?
When we recruit our Guardians, they have to adhere to our standards and be completely committed to their job so we trust them 100%. However, we do carry out regular scheduled and unscheduled inspections to make sure that your property is being well maintained. We also liaise with our Head Guardians regularly and offer clients (landlords) a feedback report of our visits.

The Guardians will also only ever add worth to your buildings too. Some properties we secure are listed buildings so unfortunately, it’s not possible for the rooms to be altered in any way. Nevertheless, in other properties we do have permissions that allow our Guardians to paint walls and make the property their own within reason, of course!

What have Guardians previously done to make the properties more appealing?
The list is endless. Some of our favourite projects our Guardians have done are things such as created gyms, organic gardens, held big screen film nights, planted patios, added deckchairs, hammocks and bike racks, up-cycled outdoor furniture, created a home bru room using produce that is locally grown, and even clubbed together to build an outdoor swimming pool. When we say we hold pride in giving back to the community, we truly mean it!

We do have a range of case studies for you to have a peep at!

I have a property that needs securing, but it also needs cleaning and clearing. Can you help?
Of course we can. If your property needs clearing and cleaning ahead of the Guardians securing the property, our wonderful team can get that sorted for you. We have different packages to ensure you get the very best out of your experience with us.

Overall, we can guarantee your experience with us here at Blue Door Property Guardians will be plain sailing and incredibly beneficial to you.

We all want the same thing at the end of the day, right? Properly secured properties, reduced costs and to give back to our communities!

If you would like to find out more about how you can secure your property, or even if you want some more information ahead of your decision making, you can drop us an email at: admin@bluedoorpropertyguardians.co.uk, call us on: 02071174232 or send us a direct message on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Meet the Blue Door Property Guardian's Team

We thought it was about time to introduce you to the team behind Blue Door Property Guardians. It would only make sense to start right at the very top so let’s bring Janie Butler through the big blue doors… (can we have a round of applause please?)

Janie Butler, founder of Blue Door Property Guardians

Janie is the founder of Blue Door Property Guardians and the powerhouse woman who made this possible. After returning to the UK from an overseas appointment, Janie stumbled across ‘guardianship’ when she needed somewhere to live as her home was Let with an agency. Whilst giving the opportunity of standing in the shoes of a guardian a shot, Janie could only describe the experience as ‘underwhelming’ and knew there was a gap here for her to do something about it.

Janie put her best foot forward and made the (best!) decision to set up the type of company that provided everything both clients and guardians needed, which led her to build a professional, responsive, value added community model.

Here are some interesting facts about Janie:

• Raised in Cornwall in the UK

• A former UK and International Headteacher

• Has travelled the world

• Has completed the End-to-End (no mean feat!)

• Her hobby is Textile Design

• Favourite sweet treat? Liquorice

Next to take the doors by the handles is Tom West, a member of the team here at Blue Door Property Guardians who has a passion for spreading the benefits of a zero cost solution for vacant properties.

Tom West

In his current role at Blue Door Property Guardians, Tom feels as though he has found a match made in heaven through offering 24/7 zero cost niche property protection security solutions. He also takes great pleasure in having lots of ‘happy bunnies’ as customers.

He has the perfect tools of the trade to help him achieve these goals by working closely with Janie Butler, who he describes as “one of the best bosses” he has ever worked with, which allows him to bring his decades of experience working for a multitude of sectors to the company.

Tom has always liked sports whether it’s playing football, table-tennis, swimming or cycling and has ‘blue blood’ being a life-long Chelsea football fan. Don’t get him talking on this topic though, as he is forever reminiscing about the days when he used to watch his beloved Chelsea play, albeit 2nd division football for a grand total of around £1.00 per day out, which would include travel, admittance and a match programme.

Tom welcomes any enquiries from concerned property owners who are looking to secure their vacant property. You’ll have the chance to meet the legend himself, well virtually that is, as Tom regularly hosts webinars and online talks to chat through just how easy it is to secure your vacant property through Guardianship!

Last but certainly not least to ring the blue door buzzer is Martine Roake who, like Tom, has a passion for spreading the benefits of a zero cost solution for vacant properties.

Martine Roake

Martine is a born and bred Londoner who never tires of the concrete jungle that she lives in (with some very nice green spaces mixed in too!). She always finds something interesting on every street when she goes out from graffiti, to the shop windows, to the people who are going about their everyday business. Of course, she can’t forget looking up at the amazing buildings both old and new. Martine says that after such a challenging few years of covid and adapting to new ways of working and living in these times, you can see the landscape changing.

Martine says it feels good and productive to be able to help our key worker guardian community by providing affordable accommodation and security, and to breathe life back into empty and unloved commercial buildings, office spaces and vacant residential properties. Martine also states that it’s thanks to property owners who see the bigger picture of the social value and the positive impact guardianship can have in communities which is why she loves her job at Blue Door Property Guardians.

So what does Martine love to do when she’s not securing vacant properties?

Martine loves to drive. However she says nowadays she seems to spend most of her time being a taxi driver for her 9-year-old son, who has a better social life than her. Martine taught herself to wolf whistle at primary school and she often impresses friends when hailing a cab in town using her ‘skill’... Her son even recognises her when she is trying to get his attention if he takes off on his bike!

And there you have it, a quick whistle-stop tour of the engine behind the fabulous Blue Door Property Guardians group. They’re a friendly bunch and are always up for a chinwag, even if it’s just for some solid property advice. You can drop the team an email at admin@bluedoorpropertyguardians.co.uk, ring them on 02071174232, or simply send them a direct message on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Is becoming a property guardian in London worthwhile?

For young professionals, London is one of the most attractive cities in the UK, but it also has a high cost of living. London has one of the highest average rent expenses in the country, which can be intimidating and deterrent for those looking to make a living in the city. It can be complicated to consider if you are inexperienced with property guardianship and what it means to be a guardian, but Live-in Guardians provide a straightforward, innovative, and modern alternative to London living that is both safe and substantially less expensive than standard rents.

What should guardians consider before moving into a property?

So, what does it take to be a property guardian, and is it worthwhile? Property guardians are essentially live-in security and maintenance staff for business buildings that would otherwise be vacant. Squatters, vandals, and other criminals rarely target empty homes, therefore guards help to eliminate the chance of squatters, vandals, or other criminals attacking the property. If our guardians detect any security risks, we have a crew on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle the situation securely so that our guardians don't have to. We never ask our guardians to endanger themselves!

The struggle continues for renters as they search for a place to call home

Property guardians also help property owners maintain their properties by keeping them clean, orderly, and well-maintained while they are living there. They notify our team of any problems, such as mould, moisture, or leaks, ensuring that these issues are remedied quickly and the property is kept in excellent shape. In a nutshell, commercial properties are preserved, maintained, and protected by Live-in Guardians.

How Much of your Salary Should you Spend on Rent?

What's in it for the guardians, though? Guardians have the privilege of residing in central London at a greatly reduced rent cost, which is a fraction of typical London rent prices, in exchange for performing crucial protective services. This allows young professionals to get a lot more out of their time in London without breaking the bank on rent. They also have the fascinating option to live in some genuinely unusual settings in the heart of London, like old pubs, office buildings, churches, and schools. Each Live-in Guardians property is completely remodelled on the interior to be completely safe, comfortable, and elegant, with all of the amenities you'd expect from a mainstream residential rental property.

Vacant Property Security Solutions – What are Your Options?

Finally, our guardians can take pleasure in becoming a part of a community. Many of our guardians develop tight-knit support groups and creative communities in the larger buildings safeguarded by Live-in Guardians, and many of our guardians form tight-knit support groups and creative communities. Our guardians are all young professionals in full-time jobs or mature students, and part of the attractiveness of being a guardian is being able to live with other like-minded people who have comparable life experiences. You could not only save hundreds of dollars on rent, but you could also meet some lifelong friends!

Vacant” vs “Unoccupied” Property – What’s the Difference?

Taking up the role of a property guardian in London is a secure, intelligent, and distinctive way to make the most of your professional life in the capital. We'd love to hear from you whether you're employed full-time or a mature student seeking for affordable London housing. If you think you've got what it takes to be a guardian, we'd love to hear from you.