Our Clients

Situation:

A large office block needed short-term security while the property owners sort planning to carry out a light refurbishment of the property. Prior to LOWE taking occupation, the owners were paying £120,000 per annum in security costs and £450,000 per annum in (empty) Business Rates.

Solution:

• Provided a comprehensive Health and Safety audit to assess the current compliance of the property prior to any works.
• Re-instated the fire system to ensure it was compliant with fire standards.
• Installed kitchen facilities and showers to ensure the property was habitable.
• Vetted and placed 17 live-in guardians who occupied the ground to fourth floors, ensuring maximum security coverage across the block.

Outcome:

• A cost neutral solution that saved our client substantial fees that would have been incurred on conventional security measures.
• Successful removal of the business rates liability on the property with LOWE paying the council tax.
• A well-managed, secure property with 17 young professionals, key workers and creatives with an affordable rental solution in the heart of London.

Situation: 

A former Metropolitan Police Station in a prominent, central London location had a history of squatting since it was vacated by the Metropolitan Police. It was also in a state of disrepair prior to LOWE taking occupation. The property required a significant investment from LOWE to ensure it was suitable for guardian occupation. The property also had a large empty business rates liability on the property. 

Solution: 

• Works included rewiring the electrics to ensure NICEIC certification was in place and the installation of a new fire system to cover all rooms within the property.
• Essential fit-out of showers, kitchens and bedrooms.
• Additional works to create a communal space that can be enjoyed by all guardians.
• 35 vetted guardians occupying the property to provide a 24-hr coverage of the property. 

Outcome: 

• A cost neutral solution that saved our client substantial fees that would have been incurred on conventional security measures.
• Successful removal of the business rates liability on the property with LOWE paying the council tax.
• Provision of affordable housing in an otherwise unaffordable area.
• A well-managed, secure property while the property goes through the re-development process.

Situation: 

A former care home managed by another property guardian company neglected health and safety measures. For instance, it had no fire system, as well as gas servicing and electrical testing failures. Overall, the property presented to us was in poor condition and unhygienic. LOWE carried out a full fit-out of the property, ensuring that it was habitable, secure and fully compliant, prior to vetting and selecting high quality property guardians to inhabit the property. 

Solution: 

• Works included installing re-instating the fire system and servicing the boiler and electrics to ensure they met with Health and Safety standards.
• Essential fit-out of the property, including painting and decorating, the installation of new showers and kitchens and gardens.
• 54 vetted guardians occupying the property to provide a 24 hr coverage of the property.
• Three appointed head guardians to carry out daily checks on the property.

Outcome: 

• A secure property that was compliant with all Health and  Safety standards and the insurer’s requirements.
• Positive feedback from the existing guardians we inherited from the previous guardian company regarding the improvement in service.
• A well-managed property whilst the property goes through the re-development process. 

Situation:

A number of flats on a housing estate (that were due to be redeveloped as part of a wider regeneration project) had social issues at the properties, including squatters. To tackle the issue, LOWE was instructed to manage a number of the flats on behalf of the local authority. At this property, we implemented our LOWEkey programme, proving a number of key workers with an affordable rental solution close to their place of work. 

Solution: 

• Carried out a risk assessment on all the appropriate properties and selected suitable flats across the estate.
• Placed carefully vetted property guardians within the property and introduced them to each other.
• Carried daily checks of the property to report off vandalism. 

Outcome: 

• A cost effective, secure solution for the client while they work through the decanting of the estate.
• Reporting of anti-social behaviour to both the Local Authority and Police, ensuring the buildings were well maintained.
• Housing key workers with an affordable rental solution close to where they work.