A HOUSING INITIATIVE is seeking tenants for properties available in some of the country’s most prestigious areas – for surprisingly low rents.

The scheme focuses on finding occupiers for vacant buildings in a deal that is beneficial both to the tenant and the owner.

Camalot Property Management, the company that operates the ‘property guardian’ scheme are looking for new house-sitters to partake.

The company’s rate for a five-bedroom home in Dublin 4, one of the country’s most sought after residential areas, stands at €300.

How does this work? 

The ‘property guardian’ system works where the owner of a vacant building comes forward to offer their vacant property and ‘guardians’ then take charge of it. It is hoped this system then prevents the building from falling into disrepair and wards off thieves and vandal.

For taking care of the property, the ‘guardian’ receives a much reduced rate of rent. On their website, Camelot state that the properties available may be “awaiting demolition, renovation, sale, letting or redevelopment”.

The catch is that people being placed in properties are given no guarantees about the length of time they are allowed to stay. It is said the time periods could vary between a few months and a couple of years.

The company use residential properties as well as larger buildings from bodies such as local councils, religious orders and project developers.

It estimates that there are 28,013 empty commercial buildings and 223,152 residential properties in the Republic of Ireland.

How much do these cost? 

The cost for the properties in Ireland varies between €140 and €300 per month.

In Dublin 2 and Dublin 4 the company’s rate is €300. In Dublin 6 and Dublin 1 this comes down to €250.

In other parts of the country the price is substantially lower – with properties available in Galway for €150 and in Cork, Limerick and Waterford for €140.

Speaking about the scheme, the manager of Camelot for Ireland, Paul Cosnett, said:

There is a clear need for more rented accommodation in Ireland and there is also a rising vacant property issue that shows no sign of slowing down. Our vacant property management solution addresses both these issues.

Read: ‘I’m sleeping on a friend’s sofa on the verge of becoming homeless, I don’t know what to do’

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