When squatting horror stories like that of the Mosedale family hit the headlines, people sit up and listen. But now there’s a new group of guardians who can help.
Like the Mosedales, house owners who need to move out of their home into temporary rental property to allow for building work wonder if it will happen to them.
Indeed, any private landlords with properties to rent experiencing a long void period for example, or an owner occupier who is leaving their property empty for an extended period of time should be concerned about squatters. It’s not just a question of turfing them out if the worst happens. Squatters have rights and it’s illegal for home owners to march in and forcibly remove them.
That’s why property guardian companies have sprung up in recent years. These companies offer private landlords and owner occupiers peace of mind by having thoroughly vetted tenants waiting to move in. They simply live in your property until it’s time for the owners or tenants to move in.
Because of the recession, the amount of people wanting to be guardians has risen dramatically. The rent is cheap, even though the accommodation temporary. But it benefits both parties. It keeps owners’ property safe and provides cheap houses to rent for the tenants who use this cost effective way of living to save money.
Along with the more traditional apartments and houses to rent, guardians also live in some unusual places like pubs, supermarkets and hospitals!
What due diligence must be performed on “guardians” to ensure you’re not letting a potential squatter just walk in anyway?
How does a homeowner or Landlord protect themselves from companies or individuals claiming to be “guardians”?