During the holiday season, when expenses tend to rise, many individuals seek ways to boost their finances post-Christmas. Roy Foulkes, a retired police officer residing in West Hallam, Derbyshire, has managed to earn over £5,500 in cash and vouchers by identifying and reporting vacant and deteriorating properties.
In 2024, Roy discovered YouSpotProperty, a platform that compensates individuals for pinpointing long-term empty houses. Initially, the company rewards a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher for correctly identifying an uninhabited property. If YouSpotProperty purchases, renovates, and sells the property based on the spotter’s report, they grant 1% of the purchase price, up to £10,000.
Roy has accumulated £4,750 through 1% rewards from two rescued properties and received 39 £20 vouchers totaling £780. The first property he reported, located in his former beat, resulted in a £2,350 reward. The second property, near an ex-local authority house in Derby, earned him £1,620 recently.
Utilizing his vouchers for household items, Roy expressed satisfaction in contributing to society through reporting up to 120 properties, with 39 qualifying for vouchers. The initiative not only helps individuals like Roy earn extra income but also aids in addressing the issue of empty homes in England and Wales.
YouSpotProperty distributes an average of 110 £20 M&S or Amazon vouchers monthly to individuals reporting eligible properties. The company receives reports on 350 to 450 properties weekly, with around seven 1% rewards paid each month for acquired properties. Properties purchased by YouSpotProperty range from £17,000 to £3 million, with a significant impact on bringing vacant homes back into use.
Co-founder of YouSpotProperty.com, Benjamin Radstone, emphasized the importance of addressing the problem of empty properties, highlighting the success in revitalizing numerous homes and sharing rewards with the public. The initiative not only benefits individuals like Roy financially but also contributes to the revitalization of communities by putting unused properties back in circulation.
