How to slash your rent by up to 80%

ds1980

be very wary. Your basically a cheap security firm. The properties are generally susceptible to break ins you have usually limited electric and gas etc its very basic accommodation on occasion.There are upsides because people are not sure whether the people whom own these properties can actually evict you once your in but not for the feint hearted. Do a search on google itll bring up some interesting articles

fray_bentos_3

So does anyone know how they caluclate how many people are allocated to each property? There is one near Oxford on the website wanting 15 people so i assume its pretty big, or perhaps just in more danger of getting squatters?

Great idea from this company, paid by the landlord and the 'guardian', brilliant business concept.

itsmecaroline

Some things are too good to be true. You are effectively squatting with permission, lot of the places are barely habitable, no heating, not hot water and have previously been squatted in - so think graffiti, broken windows and remnants of ...well use your imagination. However if you want to live an alternative lifestyle with a commune feel where the need for space outweighs security and comfort - go ahead!

SquatNow

Can someone get me a list of addresses for their properties and I'll put them on the squatnow site.

Why pay them £200 a month when you could just squat in the same properties for free! Can't see them throwing you out if your sociably squatting... you'de be doing the same thing as proposed above just not paying them any rent... given that it would cost them thousands to get you out, it wouldn't be worth their effort as long as your not going to wreck the place.

SquatNow

ds1980 wrote: »

be very wary. Your basically a cheap security firm. The properties are generally susceptible to break ins you have usually limited electric and gas etc its very basic accommodation on occasion.There are upsides because people are not sure whether the people whom own these properties can actually evict you once your in but not for the feint hearted. Do a search on google itll bring up some interesting articles

Of course they can eveict you, you are a renting tennant like any other.

This idea stinks... you have the worst features of squatting (the fact that the owner doesn't have to maintain the property for you) combined with the worst features of renting.

lynzpower

I will correct lots of misconceptions above.

I have been on site today - dealing with maintainence issues so yet again Squat now is giving incorrect advice.

Camelot property does NOT supply properties have no electricity or running water. It is true to say some do not have central heating however Guardians have the ability to use heaters.

There is a long list of reasons why a guardian can be evicted. Vandalism, arrears, drug use, having "hangers on" or sqautters- in fact any deviation from the license- rest assured Camelot will and DO evict. Sometimes at VERY SHORT notice.

Some properties have been squatted previously, and yes, grafitti/ mess is sometimes a feature. However, Guardians in the main generally improve properties and* usually* have the ability to redecorate interiors tidy gardens etc. However, the majority of properties that Camelot manage are not vandalised.

The properties are generally susceptible to break ins you have usually limited electric and gas etc its very basic accommodation on occasion.

They are suscebtible to breakins - if they remain empty. Having Guardians on site deters the less desirable in our communities who squat and freeload. I agree, some are very basic, but not all of them are

MissFox1973

My boyfriend and I were 'guardians' for a huge country estate for 8 months, the good points are the cheap rent and the location - which was incredible.

The bad bits, Camelot weren't interested in the tennants welfare, and there was very little security, people coming and going, and you are ultimately at the mercy of the property owner - who Camelot is working for - so tennants needs are low down their priority list.

The security thing became more and more of an issue the longer we were there and strangers would turn up trying to get in. We were evicted for refusing to give entry to a very drunk and abusive man in the early hours of a Saturday morning - it turned out he was the owner - we'd never met him and he was trying to break in - we thought we were acting in the properties interest. If I was in - alone - it would have been a really scary experience.

These days I liken the experience to camping but in a old property.You have be very flexible, and you have to get on with the other 'guardians' - some of who feel they have seniority in the property. All very political.

But if you have no commitments, are not spooked out by old properties, don't mind roughing it and want to save money - its worth considering.

Good luck

tomstickland

It looks interesting. The website doesn't work at the moment.

Edit: it works again now. I've read the site and can't help finding the idea strangely attractive, depending on the property. Living in an abandoned care home doesn't appeal to me.

bhebbes

Here are 3 relevant websites, available free:
1 www.mindmyhouse.co.uk house sitting UK & abroad
2 www.hospitalityclub.org be a non-paying guest and/or put one up, UK & abroad
3 www.squatter.org.uk

Wiggynut

It sounds great but if you can't store what belongings you have with family (don't have any!) then I wouldn't be able to move at such short notice.

I currently pay £400 +bills for a small room in a horrible flat/area with no heating and the windows and doors don't really lock very well and cooker/fridge doesn't work properly, It's south London and I have the joy of stabbings and shootings happening in my area which don't get reported and this is cheap place so I would love something like this but I'm also fed up with dodgy landlords and other tenants so I think I'm getting to the age where I would actually like some security and no messing.

I'm getting old and want a quiet life... lol