During the holiday season, many individuals seek opportunities to earn extra income to replenish their finances. Roy Foulkes, a retired police officer residing in West Hallam, Derbyshire, has successfully generated over £5,500 in cash and vouchers by identifying and reporting vacant and dilapidated properties through YouSpotProperty.
Introduced to YouSpotProperty in 2024, Roy has been utilizing the platform to supplement his earnings. The initiative rewards individuals for pinpointing long-term unoccupied residences. Initially, a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher is provided for correctly identifying an empty property. If the company proceeds to purchase, renovate, and sell the property, the spotter receives 1% of the purchase price, up to £10,000.
Roy has accumulated £4,750 from the 1% rewards by assisting in the rescue of two properties, along with 39 £20 vouchers totaling £780. The earnings from the first house amounted to £2,350, while the second property fetched £1,620, which Roy used for household items, vacations, and experiences with his grandchildren.
The first property eligible for the 1% fee was discovered by Roy during a stroll in his former beat, where he had previously reported the neglected dwelling to no avail. The second property came to his attention near a former ex-local authority house in Derby, showcasing poor maintenance and neglect.
Aside from the financial rewards, Roy has employed his vouchers for household purchases, expressing satisfaction in contributing to society through his actions. YouSpotProperty aims to address the issue of empty homes, with an average distribution of 110 £20 M&S or Amazon vouchers monthly to individuals who report qualifying properties.
The company purchases and revives derelict properties valued between £17,000 and £3 million, paying out an average of seven 1% reward fees each month. Co-founder Benjamin Radstone emphasized the significance of revitalizing empty homes and the positive impact on the community.
The Empty Homes Network estimates over £465 billion worth of unoccupied properties in England and Wales, underscoring the importance of initiatives like YouSpotProperty in addressing this issue and incentivizing public participation in property reporting.