Half-built homes lie empty up and down the country as project funds dry up. Derelict houses in need of repair also have to sit and wait while private landlords and developers retrench. The number of properties – both residential and commercial – languishing unoccupied is on the increase.

Property owners who have fallen on hard times are less able than ever to take on the cost of security guards. On large premises the bill for this can run into hundreds or thousands of pounds a month. This is why many owners are turning to security companies of a different kind: ones that charge a fraction of tradition security companies and are "Property Guardians".

These are reliable people who will move into the premises, providing virtually a 24-hour presence, reducing the threat of squatters and criminal damage. In return, the Guardian is provided with affordable housing.

There is no restriction on the type of building that can be used. Typical properties include residential houses, flats and commercial premises, including schools, fire stations, care homes, hospitals, warehouses and offices. Guardians pay a reduced rent to live in a property – and if it is commercial, utility bills are usually covered by the owners while council tax is not payable.

The number of Guardians placed in each building is proportionate to its size. A school, for instance, may have 12 occupants – one to each classroom. With disused blocks of flats, guardians may only be needed on the bottom two floors, as vandals won't have a chance of getting to the top ones.

The properties may be unfurnished but all properties must be habitable.– in other words, secure and safe with hot running water, lighting and heating. Guardians share facilities such as toilets and sinks, or have temporary ones installed called "bathroom pods", which run on electricity. Where there is a lack of privacy, such as in open- plan office blocks, temporary dividers can be erected.

Property guardians come from a range of backgrounds, including teachers, nurses, prison officers and musicians. They are interviewed and the usual checks are undertaken in relation to identification: passport, bank statements, proof of income, letters from a referee and from a previous landlord.

Usually, the Guardian only needs to be provided with two weeks notice to vacate, as they occupy the property on licence and no formal tenancy is created. This ensures that the property can vacated at very short notice.
Kent County Council & many District Councils have use Property Guardians, examples includes:
Residential premises that have been bought as part of a wider regeneration project, including road widening schemes or improving access to sites such as school entrances. These projects are often planned a number of years ahead and therefore these properties may be vacant for a period of time before the scheme proceeds.
Occupation of office space, while new tenants are being sought.
Occupation of disused buildings such as schools or warehouses.

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