During the costly Christmas season, many individuals seek opportunities to boost their finances post-holiday. Retired police officer Roy Foulkes from West Hallam, Derbyshire, has capitalized on reporting vacant and dilapidated properties to earn over £5,500 in cash and vouchers.
Since discovering YouSpotProperty in 2024, Roy has been using the platform to supplement his income. YouSpotProperty compensates individuals for identifying and reporting unoccupied residences. Initially, a correct identification results in a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher. If the property is purchased, renovated, and sold, the spotter receives 1% of the purchase price, capped at £10,000.
Roy has accumulated £4,750 through 1% rewards from two properties successfully reported on YouSpotProperty, in addition to 39 £20 vouchers totaling £780. The earnings have been allocated towards household items, vacations, and memorable experiences with his grandchildren.
The initial property that qualified for the 1% fee was identified by Roy while strolling through his former beat. Despite previously reporting it to the local council with no action taken, Roy’s report on YouSpotProperty led to a successful transaction.
Spotting a second property near a former council house in Derby, Roy snapped pictures and reported it, resulting in a 1% reward of £1,620 upon purchase. Roy’s proactive approach has allowed him to enjoy various family adventures and enhance his home with the vouchers earned.
Beyond personal gains, Roy feels a sense of contribution to society by reporting up to 120 properties, with 39 qualifying for vouchers. The Empty Homes Network estimates that over £465 billion worth of properties in England and Wales remain empty or underutilized.
YouSpotProperty issues around 110 £20 M&S or Amazon vouchers monthly to individuals reporting eligible properties, with 350 to 450 properties reported weekly. The company averages seven 1% reward fees monthly for properties acquired and revitalized, ranging from £17,000 to £3 million over the past year.
Co-founder of YouSpotProperty.com, Benjamin Radstone, emphasized the company’s impact in bringing back numerous empty properties into use while rewarding the public. The initiative aims to address the significant issue of vacant homes and make a positive impact on communities.