During the holiday season, when expenses tend to rise, many individuals seek ways to supplement their income 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, a platform he discovered in 2024.

YouSpotProperty compensates individuals for pinpointing long-term empty houses, starting with a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher for correctly identifying a vacant property. If the company purchases, refurbishes, and sells the property, it awards 1% of the purchase price to the spotter, capped at £10,000.

Having flagged two properties that were subsequently rescued by YouSpotProperty, Roy has received £4,750 in 1% rewards along with 39 £20 vouchers, totaling £780. The earnings from the first and second properties amounted to £2,350 and £1,620, respectively, which he has utilized for household essentials, vacations, and experiences with his grandchildren.

The initial property that qualified for the 1% fee was spotted by Roy during a walk in his former patrol area. He had previously reported the property to the local council without any action taken. Encountering the second property near a former local authority house in Derby, Roy captured images and reported it, leading to a reward of £1,620.

Expressing his gratitude for the additional income, Roy shared his excitement about recent family adventures and how the vouchers have aided in household purchases. Contributing to society by identifying vacant properties and earning money simultaneously has been a fulfilling experience for him.

With an estimated £465 billion worth of unoccupied properties in England and Wales, YouSpotProperty acknowledges an average of 110 £20 vouchers are issued monthly for reported properties. The company processes between 350 and 450 property reports weekly, with an average of seven 1% reward fees paid monthly for acquired properties valued between £17,000 and £3 million.

Co-founder Benjamin Radstone emphasized the significance of addressing the issue of empty properties and the company’s role in revitalizing these dwellings while rewarding the public for their assistance.