During the costly Christmas period, many individuals seek additional income to replenish their finances post-festivities. Retired police officer Roy Foulkes from West Hallam, Derbyshire, has managed to accumulate over £5,500 in cash and vouchers by identifying and reporting vacant and dilapidated properties through YouSpotProperty.
Roy, aged 67, discovered YouSpotProperty in 2024 and has been utilizing the platform to generate extra earnings. The website compensates individuals for pinpointing and flagging unoccupied residences. Initially, the company rewards a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher for correctly identifying an empty property. If YouSpotProperty proceeds to purchase, renovate, and sell the house, the informant is entitled to 1% of the sale price, capped at £10,000.
Having reported two properties that were subsequently acquired by YouSpotProperty, Roy has received £4,750 in 1% rewards and 39 £20 vouchers totaling £780. The funds have been allocated towards household essentials, vacations, and memorable experiences with his grandchildren.
The first property eligible for the 1% fee was noticed by Roy while strolling through his former patrol area. Despite reporting the residence to the local council with no action taken, Roy’s persistence paid off through YouSpotProperty’s initiative.
The second property that garnered Roy a 1% reward was located near a former council house in Derby. Observing the neglected state of the property, Roy swiftly reported it, eventually earning £1,620 as a reward.
In addition to his monetary gains, Roy has utilized the vouchers for household purchases. He finds fulfillment in contributing to society by reporting potentially neglected properties and earning a modest income in the process.
According to the Empty Homes Network, England and Wales currently harbor over £465 billion worth of unoccupied homes. YouSpotProperty distributes approximately 110 £20 M&S or Amazon vouchers monthly to individuals reporting eligible properties, with an average of 350 to 450 properties reported each week.
On a monthly basis, seven 1% reward fees are disbursed for homes acquired and revitalized by YouSpotProperty, with property values ranging from £17,000 to £3 million over the past year. Co-founder Benjamin Radstone emphasizes the company’s commitment to repurposing empty homes and sharing rewards with the public.
By leveraging platforms like YouSpotProperty, individuals like Roy are not only able to earn additional income but also contribute to addressing the issue of vacant properties in their communities.