The process of moving can be very disruptive. Just ask Kevin Harris. In the past eight years, he has accomplished this feat a total of eight times. However, as a result of that, he has had the opportunity to reside in some fairly fascinating locations.
“I’ve woken up and counted myself lucky that I’ve had an excellent house to live in that is a little out of the ordinary,” he says. “I woke up and counted myself lucky to have a place to live that is a little out of the way.”
To say so would be an understatement. His residences have ranged from a defunct children’s daycare to a Victorian hunting lodge to an abandoned police station, among others.
The current residence is a former EMI building located in west London. It is a portion of the building that was used to press recordings for bands including the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Pink Floyd.
Kevin is one of thirty other people who live in the building, which has three levels. What was previously a historic workplace has been converted into a residential area, and each tenant now possesses their very own private bedroom in which they may get some shut-eye. While some like to take their own showers, others want to share. The kitchen facilities are shared among the residents.
The average monthly cost for residents is £350, which includes all of their utility costs.
Kevin is a property guardian, which numbers somewhere around 10,000 in the UK. He is required to pay a monthly fee to the building’s management company in order to occupy what is otherwise an unoccupied structure.
Guardians are subject to a monthly licence agreement that offers them less rights than a complete tenancy; they can be given just 28 days’ notice to quit and don’t have the right to exclusive occupation of the property.
Properties that are subject to health and safety requirements should, if they do not already have them, be outfitted with suitable sleeping, cooking, and washing facilities in order to comply with such regulations. They are required to have operational water and power sources, in addition to being spotless and risk-free.
Buildings are cared for and maintained by their owners on behalf of the management company. The theory is that occupied properties are less likely to attract vandals and criminals. It is also more cost-effective than hiring a security agency, because it prevents the property from falling into disrepair.
The lack of available homes combined with the ever-increasing expense of living are both contributing factors that are driving up demand.
The Property Guardian Providers Association (PGPA), which represents management organizations, states that in 2020–21, about 32,000 people will have registered to become guardians. It forecasts that number to reach 50,000 by the end of this year.
In fact, the PGPA is sounding a warning that the industry may not be able to satisfy demand since there are not enough owners stepping forward. It adds that the fact that they would have to comply with planning standards built for permanent dwellings, even though all they would be giving is temporary housing, is a deterrent for them.
After having a negative encounter with a private landlord eight years ago, Kevin decided to become a guardian for the first time, and he has continued in this role ever since.
According to him, “the primary benefit is that the cost of guardianship is predominantly cheaper than the cost of renting privately.” “The odds are in your favour that you’ll receive more room for the money you spend.”
On the other hand, he describes the disadvantage as “the absence of security.”
Because he has a job as a prop builder on movies like Aliens and Tomb Raider, he has a lot of equipment at home in addition to the stuff he has accumulated over the years. In fact, he has a lot of equipment at home. When someone tells me, “We need you to relocate,” it creates a lot of worry for me since I have to pack up all of my belongings and move out.
But Kevin claims that he has never lived anywhere that was either hazardous or unclean, which is surprising given the transitory nature of guardianship.
Kevin is well experienced in the role of guardian. However, Matthew Whitaker, a cargo inspector who is 31 years old, and his wife Luciane, who is 32 years old, are also new believers. Four months ago, they made the move into a magnificent, historic vicarage that was located on the grounds of a defunct church in Teesside. They have a five-bedroom home, which costs them £400 a month to rent.
At first, they were reluctant to participate in the programme because they did not have a lot of information about it.
But, once again, the possibility of low-cost lodging was the deciding factor in their decision to go ahead with the move.
“With all the prices going up this year, we thought it would be good to save a little money—maybe purchase a house in the next year or two,” Matthew says. “With all the prices going up this year, we thought this would be ideal.”
Even though he acknowledges that moving at such short notice would be rather tough, he is not put off by the fact that the living arrangement is month-to-month.
“This is only one of the dangers that we have chosen to take. I really hope that it’s profitable.”
The Property Guardians’ Association (PGPA) is the organization that most closely resembles a regulating body for the sector, and it represents management companies that account for sixty percent of all property guardians in the United Kingdom. It includes a complaints mechanism for parents and guardians, as well as norms and standards for the members of the organization.
Graham Sievers, chair of the PGPA, is eager to set the record straight regarding a prevalent misunderstanding.
“The security aspect that guardians provide is just by being in occupancy,” he adds, restating the notion that vacant buildings are more likely to attract anti-social behaviour and squatters. “The security aspect that guardians provide is simply by being in their occupation,” he says. It is not expected of the guardians themselves to perform the duties of security personnel or to walk the premises.
He emphasizes that people in dire situations should not rely on guardianship as a last resort.
“We’ve had folks who are very close to retirement, people in the teaching profession, for example, turn to guardianship so that they may save money to buy their perfect cottage.”
However, he emphasises that not everyone should try it. “You need to be prepared to have a lifestyle that is more communal and focused on the outside world.”
Tenants are responsible for being aware of the fact that management companies maintain a vigilant watch over the building. He explains that an inspection of your accommodation may take place “to guarantee that the safety of the property is maintained at all times.”