Author: Siobhan Brennan

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Budget-friendly Spring Cleaning hacks

Let’s be honest—cleaning isn’t exactly at the top of anyone’s “fun things to do” list (unless you’re Monica from Friends). That’s why we’ve rounded up some clever, budget-friendly cleaning hacks from TikTok and Instagram

These genius shortcuts use simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen cupboards—no expensive specialist cleaners required. Ready to refresh your space without emptying your wallet? Let’s dive in!

DON'T THROW OUT LEFTOVER LEMONS

According to the passionate cleaning folks on TikTok and Instagram, here’s what you can do using just baking soda, lemons, white vinegar, dishwashing liquid and a few other kitchen staples.

Kitchen cleaning hacks

Bedroom cleaning hacks

Bathroom cleaning hacks

OUR TOP TIPS

  • The 15-Minute Rule Break cleaning into 15-minute chunks rather than overwhelming yourself with an entire house clean. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a few minutes.
  • Don’t throw out old toothbrushes, you can clean shower tiles, grouting, trainers and loads more
  • Always have baking soda, white vinegar, dishwashing liquid and lemons on standby. As you can see, you can clean a lot with these. 
  • Trouble getting those pesky marks off? Try a magic eraser, you can get these for cheap at Savers and they are great for cleaning the outsides of fridges, cupboards, kitchen tiles and kitchen benches.
  • Follow #Cleantok for loads more hacks!

Please keep in mind, that while these hacks work for some people, they might not work as effectively for everyone! But we wish you well in your spring cleaning endeavours.

Keep an eye on our blog for more lifestyle tips for Property Guardians. 

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Empty Property Security Costs: Guardians vs. Traditional Methods

A sign on a building which says the building is secured by DEX guardians.

What Does it Really Cost to Secure an Empty Property?

Having an empty property can feel like throwing money away. Each day it sits vacant, it is at risk of damage, squatters and all kinds of vacancy risks. Meanwhile, you’re not just losing out on potential income, you’re also facing expensive security costs.

It’s a frustrating situation, whether you’re a property owner, a housing association, or a property developer. So, how can you protect your investment without breaking the bank?

Traditional Security Methods: The Price Breakdown

When evaluating empty property security costs, most property owners tend to consider these conventional options:

  • Manned Security Guard: £300+ per day for 24/7 coverage
  • Regular Security Patrols: £100-150 per day for scheduled visits
  • CCTV Monitoring: £2,000-5,000 installation plus £300-500 monthly monitoring fees
  • Alarm Systems: £1,000-3,000 installation plus £40-60 monthly monitoring fees
  • Boarding Up: £1,500-3,000 installation plus possible planning permission costs

Average Annual Property Security Costs (Annual costs in £)

Why Property Guardianship is a Smart Interim security Solution

guardian security

Property guardianship adds a human touch to the security of vacant properties.

Instead of hiring security guards, you offer accommodation to carefully vetted guardians who live on the property for an affordable monthly fee. Their presence acts as a deterrent to criminal activity, effectively serving as your eyes and ears.

This approach isn’t just about saving costs; property guardianship can also generate revenue. You can earn a percentage of the license fee without having to manage the property yourself. 

DEX Property Guardian costs

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  • Cost Savings: Guardianship significantly reduces costs compared to manned security. Guardians pay a license fee, which covers the cost of fit-out and installation to make it habitable, maintaining the property and the service provided by the guardianship company.

  • 24/7 Presence: Guardians provide a constant, live-in presence, deterring vandalism and squatting more effectively than alarms or CCTV.

  • Property Maintenance: Guardians often report maintenance issues promptly, preventing minor problems from escalating into costly repairs.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and DEX Property Management Limited for your professionalism in dealing with this property."
London Based Housing Trust
Service Improvement and Agency Manager

FLEXIBILITY MATTERS

One of the most compelling aspects of property guardianship is its inherent flexibility. Most guardianship providers operate on 28-day rolling monthly contracts, meaning you’re never locked into long-term commitments. 

Planning a redevelopment that’s six months away? Need the property back unexpectedly? The monthly rolling contract ensures you can reclaim your property with just 28 days’ notice. Plus Dex will always try to accommodate any guardian that needs to move out by relocating them to another available property. 

This flexibility is particularly valuable in today’s unpredictable market, where planning and development timelines can shift and opportunities can arise suddenly.

EMPTY PROPERTY SECURITY COSTS: DEX CASE STUDY

DEX was approached by a South London office building owner seeking to secure their vacant property that was awaiting planning after it was illegally occupied by squatters. The presence of DEX on-site Guardians ensured the property was protected and maintained, saving them thousands while also generating income from the Guardians' license fees.
READ CASE STUDY

If you are reviewing your empty property security costs and want to learn more about our Guardianship service or arrange a free property assessment, please contact us here.

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Dex Together Volunteer Spotlight: Janet

Janet, a DEX Guardian, became part of our DEX Together volunteering initiative earlier this year. Discover the incredible impact she and her fellow volunteers are making at the Barking Food Forest. 

BARKING FOOD FORREST

Barking Food Forest is a vibrant community gardening project in Barking Riverside, bringing joy and connection to local children, young people, families, and residents of all ages.

Learn more about the Barking Food Forest.

Follow Barking Food Forest on Instagram. 

We asked Janet a few questions about her volunteering role. 

"As a part of DEX together I volunteer at Barking Food Forest, a charity that has transformed an unused scrap of land into a thriving space for fresh produce, and community connection."
Janet DEX Guardian

Q&A with janet

Why did you choose this charity and why is it important to you?
I chose this role because it allows me to support what I care about while engaging with my community.
 
What are your main volunteer responsibilities and what does a typical shift look like?
I love the hands-on work of gardening outdoors, My shifts are varied, with a wide variety of tasks that change with the seasons—from planting and harvesting to maintaining the garden and planning social events.
 
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
I particularly enjoy participating in special events such as community open days, Halloween celebrations, and Christmas gatherings.
"It’s a friendly, welcoming environment where food, ideas, and social connections are shared, and everyone is made to feel welcome and included."
Janet DEX Guardian

GET INVOLVED WITH DEX TOGETHER

.At DEX, we harness our community’s collective power for positive impact through DEX Together, our volunteer program for guardians.

It offers the flexibility to contribute your time and skills to meaningful causes on a schedule that suits you.

LEARN MORE
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Save Big This Christmas: Top Tips for Property Guardians

A Notepad with the message Christmas is Coming

Christmas is just around the corner, and while it can be a favourite time of year for many, it can also become quite expensive.

Our team at DEX has put together a list of our money-saving top tips for Property Guardians this Christmas—and for life in general! 

DON'T BUY AT FULL PRICE

Looking for a specific item? Check out marketplaces like Vinted, Spock, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace for lower prices. Many let you filter by condition, so you can find brand-new items with tags for less. 

Sales start early with Black Friday month already upon us. You may have seen an advert or two! Post Christmas sales start earlier with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day big sales, so waiting until this time could lead to better deals. Don’t forget to look for promo codes for online orders. You might save on your purchase, especially as many stores offer discounts for new customers.

Lastly, when visiting stores (especially independent ones), don’t hesitate to ask what their best price is—they might be willing to negotiate!

A young man leaning against a bench looking at his phone

BE SMART WHEN EATING OUT

Christmas, and the lead up to Christmas can be busy with social catch ups. And expensive. 

Apps like First Table allow you to reserve either the first or last table for 50% off your food bill. This is not only a fantastic way to save money, but it also helps you discover new restaurants in the areas you plan to visit. 

Staying in? Try to collect orders when possible to save on delivery fees. You can also use apps like Too Good To Go, where you can purchase a box of mystery food items at a lower price, helping to reduce food waste—a win-win situation! 

And always remember to ask if the restaurant has a loyalty card. By using it, you can accrue rewards each time you spend. 

A girl with a groups of friends at a restaurant enjoying what she is eating

BUY FROZEN

You can save money by purchasing frozen foods.

Buying frozen items can also make products that are typically more expensive more accessible. For instance, fresh berries can be costly, but buying a large bag of frozen berries allows you to control portions, save money, and reduce food waste. And it also can be a replacement ice cube for a smoothie or drink!

Having a well-stocked freezer means fewer trips to the supermarket and gives you more meal options, making meal planning easier.

A bowl of frozen blueberries
A woman holding coins in her hands with the words Make a change handwritten on a pice of paper.

ALTERNATIVE GIFTS

If you have a large family or a big group of friends, consider organising a Secret Santa. This way, you only need to buy one gift for the drawing. Just be sure to plan this in advance.

Another thoughtful idea is to let your friends and family know that instead of giving individual gifts, you will be donating to a cause you believe in. Or why not volunteer together and help others. This can be your special gift experience you can share!

GET CREATIVE

Instead of spending a lot of money on a gift, consider offering to take your friend or family member to a free gallery that they might enjoy. After exploring the gallery, you could take your mate out for a hot chocolate or a drink at the gallery bar.

Combining an experience with a simple gift will not only make it more memorable but also show that you put in some effort. 

If you enjoy being creative, consider making gifts yourself. Homemade chutneys,  baked goods, and photo frames make particularly festive gift ideas.

These are just a handful of ways to save some money at this expensive time of year. A strict budget also helps!  By setting clear spending limits for gifts, decorations, and meals, you can stay on track and avoid the stress of overspending. 

Keep an eye on our blog for more lifestyle tips for Property Guardians. 

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Autumn Budget 2024: What property owners need to know

Autumn trees in a London Park

The recent Autumn Budget has brought several changes that could impact property owners.  Whether you’re a property developer, owner, or investor, the Autumn Budget has implications for your property portfolio.  

Here’s a breakdown of the key points and how they might affect you. By understanding these changes, you can make informed decisions to protect your assets and maximise their value. 

capital gains shake-up

The headline change for property owners is the increase in Capital Gains Tax rates. From October 2024, the higher rate jumps from 20% to 24%, potentially impacting your exit strategy timing. This could incentivise property owners to hold onto properties for longer. 

  • £3 billion in guarantees for SMEs and Build to Rent 
  • £46 million for planning authority capacity 
  • Focused regeneration in northern cities 

Social housing and affordable housing

The budget announced an increased investment in social and affordable housing. This could lead to more development projects. 

The government is injecting fresh energy into the housing market with a £500 million boost to the Affordable Homes Programme. They’re targeting 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, supported by: 

building safety investment

Building safety remains a priority, with remediation investment increasing to over £1 billion by 2025-26, particularly focused on social housing improvements. 

business rates relief

Some welcome news for commercial property owners – retail, hospitality, and leisure properties will receive 40% relief on business rates in 2025-26, capped at £110,000 per business. 

property guardianship: a smart solution

These changes create both challenges and opportunities. While increased CGT rates might affect sale timing, the broader investment in housing and planning could create new development opportunities.  

For those holding empty properties during this transition, property guardianship offers a practical solution to maintain security and generate income while navigating these changes. 

Property guardianship offers a range of benefits, including:

✓ Security: Guardians deter vandalism, theft, and squatting. 

✓ Maintenance: Guardians can help maintain the property and report any issues to us to resolve. 

✓ Community Enhancement: There are volunteer schemes in place for property guardians to give back to their communities such as the DEX Together initiative.  

If you would like to find out more about our Guardianship service, please get in touch here.