I couldn’t afford to buy or rent a house so I moved into an abandoned school – and it’s perfectly legal
A MUSICIAN who couldn’t afford to buy or rent a house has moved into an abandoned school – and it’s perfectly legal.
Max Armfield lives in the remains of a primary school in South London after struggling to get anywhere in the capital’s property market.
The 24-year-old is one of around 20 people holed up in the building and has converted one of its rooms into a space to live and create new music.
The school was permanently closed in September 2022 after moving to a new £9.25m site.
In a video detailing his new home, Max can be seen playing basketball in the school’s playground.
He revealed the highlights of living in the school building – along with the hardest parts.
Max said: “I just moved into an abandoned school in South London because rent prices are so high.
“It’s definitely pretty strange sometimes because all the toilets and sinks are knee height because this used to be a primary school.
“I think there’s around 20 people living here too who are a similar age to me and everyone seems to be doing pretty creative stuff.
“I mean it’s the only place in London that I was able to set up a studio and the guy in the room next to me has ripped up all his floorboards to create a photography space
“I don’t really know what to expect from living here but come follow the journey.”
In a follow up video uploaded yesterday titled ‘How I started (legally) squatting in a school’, Max explains his move further saying: “This is how I started squatting in an abandoned school.
“Okay, so this is called a guardianship scheme where disused buildings are rented out at a rate that is slightly below the average for the area to stop people illegally moving into the buildings.
Who are property guardians?
Guardians are used in large groups to secure properties, meaning landlords do not have to pay tens of thousands for security or can claim 90 per cent reductions in property rates on empty buildings.
But many renters have complained of leaking roofs, poor conditions and ruthless companies taking advantage of their financial plight.
One told a reporter how rats had infested their property with water leaking in from the roof but that the guardian firm had failed to tackle the issue.
Councils across London and private landlords are allowing the companies to rent out an increasing number of empty buildings with up to 7,000 property guardians – almost double the figure of three years ago.
We found companies currently advertising to live in derelict school buildings, youth centres and empty flats for up to £750-a-month with deposits as high as £900 and admin charges of more than £150.
And with London rental prices having increased by more than 60 per cent in some areas over the last decade – meaning a similar one-bedroom space could be at least double the guardian price – it is thought the guardianship trend will continue to grow.
But experts have warned guardians are vulnerable as they do not have adequate protections including for deposits which can be over £1,000 and average around £550, according to a recent report.
Firms can install temporary showers and kitchens to re-classify buildings as domestic use – slashing business rates.
But some guardians have told how companies do not provide heating – instead requiring renters to buy electric heaters and even fire safety equipment while still paying utility bills on top.
And the cost of occupying abandoned buildings as guardians has risen sharply in the more than ten years the schemes have been operating.
Renters used to pay a nominal fee of £100-200 per month to occupy a building and help secure it but now rents average just under £500 across London.
“Parts of it are amazing but everything is communal so the showers, kitchen, toilets and everything just seem to break all the time.
“The main reason that I wanted to move here though is because it allows me to make music that I can’t really do if I’m sharing a house with other people.
“You guys don’t need to worry – the children have been moved to a new school that has just been built.”
Both videos showcase the abandoned school with its interior remaining almost untouched.
Corridors are plastered with children’s artwork and notices while the playground still has outlines used for children’s games on the tarmac.
Max’s room contains a large sofa, television, chairs, two guitars and a table with a computer and speakers which he uses to create music.
Max has even managed to use an adjacent room as a bedroom, which contains a double bed, side table and even a basketball hoop on the door.
Elements of the school’s previous occupants can be seen in Max’s studio as a paper towel dispenser, knee-high cupboards and a sink line the wall.
The video has since received over 685,000 likes and more than 2,200 comments from impressed users.
One user wrote: “Property guardianship is cheap living in unused property, eg a pub, but u risk only having a month’s notice to move out, so living flexibly.”
Another wrote: “Real life crashing.”
A third asked: “Surely there are staff toilets?”
Another commented: “You’re essentially live-in security guards so owners don’t have to pay costs on empty premises.”
A fifth said: “If you find the jumper I lost in year five let me know.”
Another replied: “Omg this was my dream as a kid, I wanted to have giant sleepovers and decorate all the rooms entirely differently.”