Property Guardianship (England) - licensed occupation of vacant buildings
Live in a converted church, school or office in London for far less than market rent.
Record checked Oct 23, 2026 · official source confirmed 14 Nov, 06:01 UTC
Summary
Private guardian companies (Camelot, Ad Hoc, Global Guardians, Live-in Guardians, Dot Dot Dot, DEX etc.) place occupants in vacant offices, schools, pubs, churches & council buildings for a monthly licence fee below market rent.
Dream spread
Live in a converted church, school or office in London for far less than market rent.
Relocation reality check
Usually a licence, not a tenancy: 28 days' notice, no deposit-protection duty, owner can enter without notice; government warns of cold, damp, fire & HMO-licensing failings. Fees still ~GBP 300-600/month (campaign-group figures).
- Cheaper than renting, but you can usually be asked to leave on about four weeks' notice and have fewer rights than a tenant.
- In England this is usually a licence, not a tenancy: notice can be 28 days, deposits are not protected and the operator can enter without notice.
Caretaker & Guardian HousingProperty guardian
Caretaker terms
This program does not provide a visa.
- Housing
- Below-market fee
- Utilities
- Partly covered
- Cost to you
- Licence fee, ~GBP 300-600/month per campaign-group listing
- Stipend or pay
- None
- Commitment
- Indefinite; ends on 28+ days' notice when building is reclaimed
- What you give
- Occupy, report issues, keep building secure; should NOT be required to do security/maintenance work
Reality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Typically working adults with references; companies often exclude children & pets.
Conditions
The program's rules on record, blockers first. Confirm each on the official source.
Residence status in United Kingdom needed
CautionWho can apply: Anyone with UK right to rent/reside (Right to Rent checks apply in England); no visa provided. You need your own right to live in United Kingdom — this program does not provide a visa.
Family members not covered
CautionDependants are not included in this program — each family member needs their own route.
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Property purchase
- Not required
- Tax
- Guardians may be liable for council tax; check business rates status.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance$600
- Legal & translation$400
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Meet people before you go
We are still curating 🇬🇧 United Kingdom-specific communities. Meanwhile, these global boards answer relocation questions every day.
Communities being curated — start with r/expats meanwhile
- r/expats100k+ members
Life abroad, country comparisons, honest post-move retrospectives.
Source trail
Official links, the line we checked, and when we last checked it.
“"Guardians can be asked to live in conditions that do not meet the standards expected in residential properties." (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/property-guardians-fact-sheet/property-guardians-a-fact-sheet-for-current-and-potential-property-guardians)”
Primary official sourceLast checked Oct 23, 2026- Secondary referenceLast checked Oct 23, 2026
Rule changes
CasaSedora last checked the official source on 14 Nov 2026. Changes appear here once two independent automated checks agree on them, or a person confirms them.
No rule changes recorded since monitoring began.
Our summaries point you to what moved — always confirm details on the official source.