What Does it Really Cost to Secure an Empty Property?
Having an empty property can feel like throwing money away. Each day it sits vacant, it is at risk of damage, squatters and all kinds of vacancy risks. Meanwhile, you’re not just losing out on potential income, you’re also facing expensive security costs.
It’s a frustrating situation, whether you’re a property owner, a housing association, or a property developer. So, how can you protect your investment without breaking the bank?
Traditional Security Methods: The Price Breakdown
When evaluating empty property security costs, most property owners tend to consider these conventional options:
- Manned Security Guard: £300+ per day for 24/7 coverage
- Regular Security Patrols: £100-150 per day for scheduled visits
- CCTV Monitoring: £2,000-5,000 installation plus £300-500 monthly monitoring fees
- Alarm Systems: £1,000-3,000 installation plus £40-60 monthly monitoring fees
- Boarding Up: £1,500-3,000 installation plus possible planning permission costs
Average Annual Property Security Costs (Annual costs in £)
Why Property Guardianship is a Smart Interim security Solution
guardian security
Property guardianship adds a human touch to the security of vacant properties.
Instead of hiring security guards, you offer accommodation to carefully vetted guardians who live on the property for an affordable monthly fee. Their presence acts as a deterrent to criminal activity, effectively serving as your eyes and ears.
This approach isn’t just about saving costs; property guardianship can also generate revenue. You can earn a percentage of the license fee without having to manage the property yourself.
DEX Property Guardian costs
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Live in Guardian security £0
Our property guardians live on-site, ensuring security, maintenance, and peace of mind and have a 28 day rolling contract.
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Fit out and Installations £0
DEX will cover the start up costs of installation of facilities to make the property safe and habitable.
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Day-to-day Maintenance £0
Dex will perform routine inspection checks and handle daily maintenance and fire alarm checks.
Cost Savings: Guardianship significantly reduces costs compared to manned security. Guardians pay a license fee, which covers the cost of fit-out and installation to make it habitable, maintaining the property and the service provided by the guardianship company.
24/7 Presence: Guardians provide a constant, live-in presence, deterring vandalism and squatting more effectively than alarms or CCTV.
Property Maintenance: Guardians often report maintenance issues promptly, preventing minor problems from escalating into costly repairs.
FLEXIBILITY MATTERS
One of the most compelling aspects of property guardianship is its inherent flexibility. Most guardianship providers operate on 28-day rolling monthly contracts, meaning you’re never locked into long-term commitments.
Planning a redevelopment that’s six months away? Need the property back unexpectedly? The monthly rolling contract ensures you can reclaim your property with just 28 days’ notice. Plus Dex will always try to accommodate any guardian that needs to move out by relocating them to another available property.
This flexibility is particularly valuable in today’s unpredictable market, where planning and development timelines can shift and opportunities can arise suddenly.
THE REAL WORLD IMPACT: DEX CASE STUDY
If you own a vacant property and want to learn more about our Guardianship service or arrange a free property assessment, please contact us here.
