An increasing number of professional and middle - class people in the UK are becoming property guardians in hotels , stately homes , and other properties that are awaiting planning permission or development . The UK 's biggest guardian agency , Camelot , reports that 42 % of its guardians are aged 35 to 65 . Andy Stanton, marketing manager at Global Guardians, a property guardian firm, said: “People often have a perception of guardianship as professional squatting, but that’s very different from the reality. Divorce and the goal of reducing housing costs to help start a business are primary reasons for the uptake . Rooms in the empty properties cost £ 200 to £ 350 per month , including bills .
An increasing number of professional and middle - class people in the UK are becoming property guardians in hotels , stately homes , and other properties that are awaiting planning permission or development . The UK 's biggest guardian agency , Camelot , reports that 42 % of its guardians are aged 35 to 65 . Divorce and the goal of reducing housing costs to help start a business are primary reasons for the uptake . Rooms in the empty properties cost £ 200 to £ 350 per month , including bills .