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How Property Guardianship can Protect Your Property and Give You Better Peace of Mind

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It’s only those who don’t actually own any property that think being a property owner is easy. Owning property requires a lot of time and could be costly if there are no good mechanisms in place to secure the welfare of that property. Owning property could be a way to secure a comfortable future, but it could also mean stress and headaches. The main problem is maintenance and security – and the time and money it takes to keep it worth the while. If you are lucky enough to own property but are currently not able to make it a lucrative proposal, property guardianship may be the answer. It’s about protection and security. Here’s how property guardianship can protect your property and give you better peace of mind.

The problem of void

The worst thing that can happen to a property is that it is vacant for a long period of time – this is known as “the void”. It’s a serious problem for several reasons. First of all, a piece of vacant property opens itself up to a host of legal problems, most notably vandals and squatters, who take the opportunity to make themselves at home (whilst often the law is very favourable towards them). Secondly, a piece of vacant property doesn’t have anyone looking after it, which means it’s in a constant state of deterioration. Third, but not least, is that vacant property costs money in taxation and maintenance, but does not generate any income. Property guardianship offers a solution to this void by solving legal problems, protecting the property, and generating income.

The history of guardianship schemes

Guardianship schemes started in the Netherlands in the 1990s but has since spread across Europe, most notably Belgium, France, and Germany. It’s estimated that more than 3000 people in the UK live under guardianship schemes.

What is a property guardian?

A property guardian lives on the property, regardless of what property that may be, and pays a low amount of rent in return for basic services, such as making sure that vandals, squatters and other criminals don’t take advantage of the abandoned building.

Originally, the property guardian scheme was developed mainly for commercial properties – but due to popular demand more and more private properties needed to be protected from criminal behaviour. The market has expanded to empty flats, private residences that are not used, and former care homes. It’s easy to see why it’s actually a good deal for both the guardians and the property owners. If your property has electrical connections, has a water supply, and is scheduled to be vacant for at least three months, then maybe entering a property guardian scheme is just the thing for you.

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