This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/06/thousands-forced-to-be-property-guardians-to-avert-homelessness-study
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Thousands forced to be property guardians to avert homelessness – study | Thousands forced to be property guardians to avert homelessness – study |
| (11 days later) | |
| The threat of homelessness is forcing thousands of people into becoming live-in property guardians, often in poor living conditions with virtually no legal protection, according to a new report. | The threat of homelessness is forcing thousands of people into becoming live-in property guardians, often in poor living conditions with virtually no legal protection, according to a new report. |
| The London assembly’s housing committee said that up to 7,000 people are now housed as property guardians to help secure buildings that would otherwise be empty, a number that is predicted to rise sharply as the housing crisis worsens. | The London assembly’s housing committee said that up to 7,000 people are now housed as property guardians to help secure buildings that would otherwise be empty, a number that is predicted to rise sharply as the housing crisis worsens. |
| The committee commissioned the University of York to conduct the largest ever study into this new sector by interviewing 210 property guardians, mostly in London. It found that the promise of cheap rents was why more than 95% of them opted to be housed this way, with many saying they had no other choice. | The committee commissioned the University of York to conduct the largest ever study into this new sector by interviewing 210 property guardians, mostly in London. It found that the promise of cheap rents was why more than 95% of them opted to be housed this way, with many saying they had no other choice. |
| “It was either guardianship or homelessness,” said one. “London prices are impossible and I feel trapped in this situation,” said another. | “It was either guardianship or homelessness,” said one. “London prices are impossible and I feel trapped in this situation,” said another. |
| The committee’s report said: “The growing cost of accommodation in the capital is clearly pushing more people to become guardians out of necessity.” It said the sector “has the potential to grow dramatically”, noting that 21 out of 31 companies offering property guardian services have been formed since 2009. | The committee’s report said: “The growing cost of accommodation in the capital is clearly pushing more people to become guardians out of necessity.” It said the sector “has the potential to grow dramatically”, noting that 21 out of 31 companies offering property guardian services have been formed since 2009. |
| It expressed alarm at the lack of legal and safety protections revealed in the study: | It expressed alarm at the lack of legal and safety protections revealed in the study: |
| Almost 10% said they could be evicted without the legal minimum of 28 days’ notice. | Almost 10% said they could be evicted without the legal minimum of 28 days’ notice. |
| Some had gagging orders in their contracts preventing complaints. | Some had gagging orders in their contracts preventing complaints. |
| Most were required to buy their own fire safety packs. | Most were required to buy their own fire safety packs. |
| Typical licence agreements banned more than two guests staying overnight and allowed landlords to gain access without notice. | Typical licence agreements banned more than two guests staying overnight and allowed landlords to gain access without notice. |
| The committee pointed out that such legal restrictions fall short of even the limited protection available to private renters. It said property guardians were currently being “penalised by their financial situation” into accepting “limited legal rights in return for more affordable accommodation”. | The committee pointed out that such legal restrictions fall short of even the limited protection available to private renters. It said property guardians were currently being “penalised by their financial situation” into accepting “limited legal rights in return for more affordable accommodation”. |
| It called for greater legal clarity after a court in Bristol last year ruled that a property guardian should be granted the same rights as a tenant. The decision prompted Bristol City Council to take back control of 10 empty properties that had been run by a property guardian company. | It called for greater legal clarity after a court in Bristol last year ruled that a property guardian should be granted the same rights as a tenant. The decision prompted Bristol City Council to take back control of 10 empty properties that had been run by a property guardian company. |
| The report also highlighted the poor living conditions many property guardians have to endure: | The report also highlighted the poor living conditions many property guardians have to endure: |
| Mould and condensation was reported to be a problem by 37% of those surveyed. | Mould and condensation was reported to be a problem by 37% of those surveyed. |
| Almost half had to buy a portable heater to keep warm. | Almost half had to buy a portable heater to keep warm. |
| Almost a quarter were dissatisfied with repairs and maintenance, with some complaining of rats. | Almost a quarter were dissatisfied with repairs and maintenance, with some complaining of rats. |
| One guardian said: “Our roof has leaked in heavy rain since we moved in. The guardian company know this, and have never fully resolved the matter. Currently we have a serious problem with rats getting into the property, via broken sewerage, and broken doors.” | One guardian said: “Our roof has leaked in heavy rain since we moved in. The guardian company know this, and have never fully resolved the matter. Currently we have a serious problem with rats getting into the property, via broken sewerage, and broken doors.” |
| Siân Berry, the Green party assembly member who chairs the committee, said: “Most guardians are simply working Londoners on lower than average wages who don’t see any other affordable options. The contracts they sign up to can include clauses that deny them basic human rights like the ability to speak out if they are treated badly. | Siân Berry, the Green party assembly member who chairs the committee, said: “Most guardians are simply working Londoners on lower than average wages who don’t see any other affordable options. The contracts they sign up to can include clauses that deny them basic human rights like the ability to speak out if they are treated badly. |
| “Without more attention the growth in guardianship could give rise to a very substandard class of rented accommodation.” | “Without more attention the growth in guardianship could give rise to a very substandard class of rented accommodation.” |
| Homelessness | Homelessness |
| Housing | Housing |
| Social exclusion | Social exclusion |
| London | London |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |