Live-in care for vacant and transitional homes in London
I live in empty or in-between homes, keeping them secure, well cared for, and beautifully presented for viewings, sales, and transitions.
- Trusted live-in presence
- Experienced with high-value London homes
- Adds value through presentation and photography
How It Works
How a live-in property caretaking arrangement works
Initial conversation
We talk through the property, the situation, and what you need. No obligation — just a straightforward discussion about whether this is the right fit.
Property handover
Once agreed, we arrange a simple handover. Keys, access details, agent contacts. I take it from there and you can step back.
Live-in stewardship
I move in and look after the property day to day — secure, presentation-ready, and available for viewings with reasonable notice.
Flexible return
When you need the property back, I leave promptly and cleanly. The arrangement is built around your timeline, with a clear and straightforward transition when the time comes.
About Jonathan
Twelve years of live-in property care across London
I'm Jonathan — a London-based interiors photographer with twelve years of experience living in and caring for other people's homes. Throughout that time I've developed a genuine respect for what it means to be trusted with a space: arriving quietly, maintaining it attentively, and leaving it in better condition than I found it.
Whether a property is being sold, sitting between tenants, or simply needs a calm and responsible presence while its owners are away, I bring discretion, reliability, and a trained eye for presentation. I understand that many of the situations I work within are sensitive, and I treat them as such.
What I Offer
What's included in a live-in caretaking arrangement in London
Live-in caretaking
A consistent, responsible presence in a vacant or transitional home. The property is occupied, secure, and looked after day to day — without you needing to manage it from a distance.
Presentation and viewings
Keeping the property at its best for agents and buyers. I'm comfortable with regular viewings and can ensure the home is always well presented and ready to show.
Styling support
Drawing on my own furniture and connections with professional stagers, I can help a property look its best — whether for photography, sale, or simply to feel cared for.
Interiors photography
Professional-quality imagery for estate agent listings, insurance documentation, or personal records. Shot with the discretion and care the property deserves.
Why Me
A trusted live-in caretaker for London's most considered homes
Experience. Twelve consecutive years in live-in arrangements across London — a wide variety of properties, circumstances, and clients, each handled with care and consistency.
Track record. Not a single missed payment, maintenance issue, or complaint across twelve years. Every property treated with the same care and attention.
Presentation. With a professional background in interiors photography, I have a trained eye for how a space looks and feels — particularly important when viewings are taking place.
Discretion. Some situations call for a quiet, low-profile presence: probate properties, high-value homes, ongoing sales. I understand this, and I am comfortable with it.
Ease of access. Agents, solicitors, and contractors are always welcome. I coordinate access, pass on messages, and ensure the property is well presented for every visit.
Flexibility. Arrangements are built around your timeline, not mine. Open-ended or with a fixed return date — I adapt to whatever the property and situation requires.
Happy to sign NDAs and work with complete discretion for high-value or sensitive properties.
Previous Arrangements
Properties I've cared for across London
Edwardian warehouse conversion
Panther House — a heritage-protected warehouse complex in the Hatton Garden Conservation Area. Occupied during the pre-marketing phase of the residential conversion, staging and presenting the space to demonstrate its potential. The lived-in character became the development team's most persuasive selling point.
Clerkenwell
Period commercial building, Grosvenor Estate
111 Park Street — a substantial period property on one of the Grosvenor Estate's most prestigious streets. Live-in stewardship of the 11,000 sq ft building, maintaining presentation and security throughout the occupancy period.
Mayfair
Long-term residential arrangement
A multi-year arrangement spanning a full tenancy cycle. Ongoing upkeep, staging, and maintenance — with a close working relationship with the owners to ensure the property remained secure, well-presented, and consistently in good order.
Mornington Crescent
Pre-development mews property
Deans Mews — a cobbled cul-de-sac off Cavendish Square, occupied prior to its redevelopment into four luxury townhouses by ADAM Architecture. A careful, long-term presence during the holding period before works began.
Marylebone
Ideal For
Properties suited to live-in caretaking in London
- 01Properties currently for sale
- 02Vacant rental flats between tenancies
- 03Homes undergoing renovation or building works
- 04Probate and estate properties
- 05Developer units awaiting occupation
- 06Owners spending extended time abroad or relocating
- 07High-value properties requiring a discreet presence
Interiors Photography
Property presentation and interiors photography in London
Strong photography increases buyer interest. A well-presented property holds its value. As an interiors photographer, I notice the light, the proportions, and the small details that make a home feel genuinely cared for — and can document them for estate agent listings, insurance records, or condition reports.
Enquire about photography
Additional Support
Additional live-in property support, where needed
Beyond the day-to-day, I can support with additional requirements depending on the property and the owner's needs. These are not included as standard — they are discussed and agreed in advance, when appropriate.
- Light property upkeep and oversight
- Coordination of trades and maintenance visits
- Plant care and general day-to-day upkeep
- Pet care, by prior arrangement
- Staging support, in collaboration with professional stagers
- Interiors photography for marketing or documentation
Available alongside a standard arrangement or as one-off support, depending on what the property and its owner need.
Questions
Common questions about live-in property caretaking in London
What is a live-in property caretaker?
A live-in property caretaker is a trusted professional who resides in a property during a transitional period — while it is on the market, between owners, sitting in an estate during probate, or while its owners are absent for an extended period. The key distinction from a check-in service or managing agent is that the caretaker is actually present: the property is genuinely occupied, naturally maintained, and ready to show at any time.
What types of property benefit most from this arrangement?
Properties that are currently for sale, vacant between tenancies, held in probate, or owned by someone spending extended time abroad are particularly well suited. High-value homes where presentation and security are priorities — and where the owner has a stake in how the property is perceived by buyers, agents, or valuers — tend to benefit most.
What happens to an empty property during probate?
Vacant properties deteriorate faster than occupied ones: heating systems go untested, minor maintenance issues go unnoticed, and most UK home insurance policies require a visit at least every seven days for the policy to remain valid when unoccupied. A live-in caretaker resolves all of this — the property is genuinely occupied, the insurance requirement is automatically met, and the home is ready for valuations or viewings whenever required.
Do you work with estate agents and solicitors directly?
Yes. Estate agents are always welcome to access the property for viewings with reasonable notice, and I can coordinate access for probate solicitors, surveyors, and contractors directly. I've found that agents appreciate having a reliable, knowledgeable point of contact who understands the property and can present it well — rather than an absent owner.
How often do insurers require someone to visit an unoccupied property?
Most UK unoccupied property insurance policies require a visit at least every seven days for the policy to remain valid. A live-in caretaker satisfies this requirement automatically — not as a weekly check, but as a continuous, genuine presence throughout the arrangement.
How long are arrangements typically?
Arrangements are built around your timeline. Some run for a fixed period — while a property is on the market, or during a specific absence. Others are open-ended. There is no predetermined minimum or maximum: I adapt to whatever the property and the situation requires.
Is a non-disclosure agreement available?
Yes. For high-value, sensitive, or probate properties, I'm happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before any discussions begin. Discretion is a core part of the service.
Get in Touch
Tell me about your property
If you have a property that needs a trusted, responsible presence — whether for months or open-ended — I'd be glad to hear from you. Every situation is different, and I'm happy to discuss yours.
Or email directly: hello@londonhomesteward.com
Please get in touch by email at hello@londonhomesteward.com.