A Dutch property company rents everything from country manors to period houses for a fraction of market rent.
Camelot, a property management company from the Netherlands, has introduced the concept of property guardians to Ireland.
Tenants are essentially licensed house sitters for owners of vacant properties. Aidan Devlin, director of Camelot Property Management explains,
It's protection by occupation.
According to the last census twenty per cent of Ireland’s housing stock is lying idle. Renting accommodation as a guardian is a good option for twenty two year old David Deak from Hungary,
I don’t think...I’ll ever be able to afford a house in Ireland.
Guardians sign an agreement which include conditions such as no dogs and no families. Tenants must also agree to share the house with other guardians, and properties are inspected monthly. Overnight guests are allowed, once permission has been sought in advance from Camelot.
There is also a strict no party rule, but this is something that Emma Nee can put up with,
It’s a small thing really to live without.
Ruth McKeon is content to adhere to the rules and regulations for low rent,
It’s really worth it.
At present there are almost one hundred guardians on a waiting list with Camelot Property Management, and the company expects that number to double by the end of the year.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 February 2008. The reporter is Paul Maguire.
