Sky News Highlights Property Guardianship as a Creative Way to Save Hundreds on Rent

Following recent coverage by Sky News’ Money Live Reporter Jess Sharp, property guardianship is once again in the national spotlight as a smart, creative response to the UK’s rental crisis.

With rents continuing to rise across the UK, Sky News has highlighted property guardianship as an increasingly popular alternative for people priced out of the traditional rental market. In the article, Jess Sharp asks a question many renters are now seriously considering: “Would you live in an abandoned police station, a deserted hospital or a disused office building? What if it saved you hundreds of pounds a month?”

For a growing number of people, the answer is yes.

What Sky News Says About Property Guardianship

As Sky News explains, “property guardianship is an arrangement where people live in otherwise vacant buildings under a licence agreement.” Guardians occupy buildings that would otherwise sit empty, helping protect them from vandalism and deterioration while benefiting from significantly lower monthly living costs.

Because guardians act as a form of security for the property owner, the cost of living is typically far below market rent. According to Sky News, guardians usually sign a “28-day rolling licence agreement and pay a licence fee” rather than rent, which is why monthly costs are often hundreds of pounds cheaper than comparable private rentals.

This model has become particularly attractive in the context of the UK’s housing shortage. Sky News reports that “of the 754,000 properties standing empty across the UK, around half could be used to house people.” Property guardianship offers a practical way to bring some of these unused spaces back into safe, managed use.

Saving Money — and Gaining Space

One of the strongest themes in the Sky News article is affordability. Guardians repeatedly describe being able to save money, often for the first time in years.

Sky News features Cherise Woods, who turned to guardianship after struggling in the private rental market. She told Sky News: “I would never ever want to go back to renting.” Paying £614 per month with no council tax and no utility bills, Cherise was able to save enough to buy her first home — something that felt impossible when she was renting.

The article also highlights that guardians often gain access to more space than they could otherwise afford. As freelance set designer Adriana Faria told Sky News, finding a traditional rental in London was “a nightmare”. Guardianship allowed her to secure a larger home that also worked as a creative workspace — something standard rentals simply couldn’t offer at the same price point.

A Creative Approach to a Broken Rental Market

As Sky News reports, “the rights of guardians have since become less murky and companies have taken steps to improve standards,” with many providers signing up to professional bodies that set clear expectations around safety, management and living conditions.

For many guardians, the trade-off is worthwhile. Lower monthly costs, larger spaces, flexible living arrangements and the ability to save money in an otherwise punishing rental market make guardianship a compelling option for the right people.

Part of the Bigger Housing Picture

Sky News also explores the wider role guardianship could play in addressing the housing crisis. With homelessness on the rise and hundreds of thousands of buildings sitting empty, guardianship offers a pragmatic, interim solution.

As Natasha Taylor, managing director of a property management and security firm, told Sky News, “around half of those properties could be used to house guardians.” While guardianship is not a replacement for long-term housing policy, it can help bridge the gap — providing safe accommodation while protecting vacant buildings from decline.

A Modern, Managed Way to Live Differently

The Sky News coverage reinforces what many guardians already know: property guardianship is a creative, flexible way to live affordably in a challenging housing market. It rewards people who are adaptable, open-minded and keen to prioritise savings, space and opportunity over traditional renting.

As demand continues to grow, professional guardianship providers are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring buildings are safe, compliant and well-managed — benefiting guardians, property owners and communities alike.

As Sky News concludes through the voices of its interviewees, for many people there is “no reason to go back to renting.” For those willing to live differently, property guardianship can be a smart, money-saving alternative — and a creative response to one of the UK’s biggest challenges.

For more information, read the full article here.