Sky News Spotlight on Ad Hoc
Recently, Ad Hoc Property Management was interviewed by Sky News as part of their broader coverage on the rising interest in Property Guardianship across the UK. Their feature explored how unused buildings are increasingly being repurposed through Guardianship models and highlighted organisations like ours that help bring vacant spaces back into productive use.
This renewed attention reflects the growing relevance of our work in today’s housing and commercial landscape.
The UK continues to face significant housing pressure, with affordability challenges pushing many people to explore alternatives to traditional renting. As rental costs remain high in major cities, more individuals are reassessing how, and where, they can live sustainably. One solution attracting growing attention is Property Guardianship, a model Ad Hoc has championed for decades.
Recent reporting shows that a rising number of Britons are turning to Guardianship as a way to secure affordable accommodation by living in vacant buildings such as former police stations, offices, schools and hospitals. This arrangement offers lower monthly costs than standard renting and provides building owners with an important security benefit through occupation.
Understanding Property Guardianship
Property Guardianship allows individuals (“Guardians”) to live in otherwise empty properties under a flexible licence agreement rather than a standard tenancy. Guardianship offers two main advantages:
- Considerably lower living costs. The licence fee Guardians pay is typically far below comparable rental prices, making city living more accessible for working people priced out of the private rental market.
- Security and protection for property owners. Having responsible people living in vacant buildings acts as a deterrent to vandalism, squatting, and costly deterioration. This helps owners preserve asset value while waiting for sale, redevelopment or next phase of use.
Guardianship is not a conventional tenancy, and Guardians accept a different set of expectations: shorter notice periods, restrictions such as no children, and the need to adapt to more unconventional spaces. But for many, the flexibility and affordability make it an attractive choice.
Why Guardianship Is Growing in Popularity
- A response to high rents and limited housing supply. With rental costs continuing to rise across the UK, especially in major cities, Guardianship offers a valuable alternative. Many Guardians report saving hundreds of pounds per month compared with private renting, making it possible to stay in urban areas close to work and community.
- A practical use of empty buildings. Hundreds of thousands of properties across the UK are currently standing empty, with estimates suggesting that a significant proportion could be repurposed for temporary accommodation. Occupying these buildings, many of which would otherwise fall into disrepair, helps alleviate housing pressures while bringing life back to unused spaces.
Ad Hoc’s Role in Raising Standards
The Property Guardianship sector has matured significantly in recent years. Past criticism and calls for regulation led to improved standards across providers, with many adopting robust compliance frameworks and adhering to industry best practice.
We are committed to:
- Ensuring basic housing and safety standards
- Providing clear and fair licence agreements
- Matching suitable Guardians to suitable buildings
- Supporting owners with responsible, monitored property protection
Research shows the industry has taken meaningful steps to professionalise, with some providers joining bodies such as the Property Guardian Providers Association (PGPA) to support transparency and quality.
The Bigger Picture: Can Guardianship Help Ease Housing Pressure?
While property Guardianship is not a full solution to the UK’s housing crisis, it can contribute to a multi‑layered approach by:
- Making efficient use of vacant buildings
- Providing affordable, flexible living options
- Supporting the regeneration of under‑used urban spaces
- Reducing pressure on local housing markets
Guardianship works best as part of the broader ecosystem of housing solutions but its growth shows that many individuals value its affordability and flexibility. With more than 13,000 people already living as Guardians and tens of thousands applying, interest in this model continues to accelerate.
Ad Hoc’s Commitment to Community and Innovation
For 20 years, Ad Hoc has helped property owners secure and protect their assets while providing cost effective living opportunities for Guardians in the UK. Our focus remains on:
- Ethical, safe Guardianship
- Supporting local communities
- Returning empty buildings to productive use
- Helping people access affordable accommodation
As the UK continues to seek creative responses to housing pressures, we believe Guardianship will play an increasingly important role and Ad Hoc will remain at the forefront of shaping a responsible and secure Guardianship sector.
