During the holiday season, many individuals seek ways to earn extra income to supplement their finances post-Christmas. Roy Foulkes, a retired police officer residing in West Hallam, Derbyshire, has generated over £5,500 in cash and vouchers by identifying and reporting vacant and dilapidated properties through YouSpotProperty since discovering the platform in 2024.
YouSpotProperty compensates individuals for pinpointing long-term empty residences, initially offering a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher for a correct identification. Moreover, if the company acquires, renovates, and sells the property, it grants 1% of the purchase price to the spotter, capped at £10,000.
Roy has received £4,750 in 1% rewards from YouSpotProperty for reporting two properties that were subsequently rescued by the company, in addition to 39 £20 vouchers totaling £780. His earnings have been utilized for household items, vacations, and creating memories with his grandchildren.
The first property that qualified for the 1% fee was discovered by Roy during a stroll in his former patrol area. Despite previously reporting the property to the local council without any action taken, he found success with YouSpotProperty, which simplifies the reporting process.
The second property that Roy reported was located near a former ex-local authority residence in Derby. Observing the neglected state of the house obstructed by trees, Roy reported it, leading to a reward of 1% of the property’s purchase price, amounting to £1,620.
Roy expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have enabled him to enjoy experiences like hillwalking with his family, a cruise in Norway, and upcoming trips to Disneyland and other destinations. In addition to the monetary rewards, Roy has used his vouchers for household purchases, emphasizing the fulfillment he gains from contributing to society while earning extra income.
According to the Empty Homes Network, there is an estimated £465 billion worth of unoccupied or unused properties in England and Wales. YouSpotProperty regularly distributes around 110 £20 M&S or Amazon vouchers each month to individuals who report eligible properties, with an average of 350 to 450 properties reported weekly.
The company buys and refurbishes vacant properties, reintroducing them to the market, with an average of seven 1% reward fees issued monthly. Over the past year, YouSpotProperty has acquired properties ranging from £17,000 to £3 million, aiming to address the issue of empty homes while rewarding the public for their contributions.
Co-founder Benjamin Radstone highlighted the significant impact of bringing numerous vacant properties back into use and sharing rewards with the public through YouSpotProperty’s initiatives.