Renting a home in the capital is becoming increasingly unaffordable, a situation that is pushing many to look for cheaper solutions such as ‘property guardianship’. In theory property guardianship sounds like a ‘win-win-win’: property owners can save money, guardians can live in vacant property for a reduced cost, and fewer empty properties mean communities stay vibrant.
However, the legal rights of guardians are unclear and health and safety standards of protected properties may be questionable.
In this public meeting on property guardianship, the London Assembly Housing Committee will take a closer look at:
- The legal rights and safety of property guardians.
- The effectiveness of current legislation and whether it protects guardians adequately
- The impact of property guardianship on Londoners, including local authorities
The guests are:
- Professor Caroline Hunter, York Law School, University of York
- Lord Kennedy of Southwark, Shadow Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government, Housing and Home Affairs) and Opposition Whip (Lords)
- Rubina Nisar, Valuation and Strategic Assets, London Borough of Lambeth
- Jon Castine, Environmental Health Officer, Westminster City Council
- Stuart Woolgar, representative of the British Security Industry Association Vacant Property Protection section, and Director of Global Guardians
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 05 September from 10 am in The Chamber (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend
Social Media
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE via webcast or YouTube
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Follow us on Twitter and take part in the meeting discussion using #AssemblyHousing and #PropertyGuardian
Notes to editors
- Full agenda papers.
- London Assembly Housing Committee
- Property guardianship investigation
- Sian Berry AM, Chair of the Housing Committee, is available for interviews. See contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Sonia Labboun on 020 7983 5769. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.