Households in England and Wales can earn up to £3,000 by reporting empty or derelict properties through the website YouSpotProperty.com. One participant, water meter reader Ben Thompson, has already used his earnings to fund a family barge holiday.
How the Scheme Works
Anyone can participate by spotting an empty or neglected property in England or selected areas of Wales. The first person to report a qualifying property to YouSpotProperty.com receives a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher. If the development company behind the site later purchases the property, the reporter receives 1% of the purchase price, capped at £10,000.
Ben Thompson's Experience
Ben Thompson, 50, from Newport on the Isle of Wight, visits 80 to 100 properties daily as a water meter reader. He noticed tell-tale signs of empty homes, such as unmoving meters, bins never put out, overgrown gardens, and general neglect. After reading about YouSpotProperty.com on Martin Lewis's website, he began reporting properties, initially for the £20 vouchers. So far, he has earned £3,000.
“I wasn’t chasing the one per cent reward at all. I started doing it for the £20 vouchers because they were a nice little bonus,” Thompson said. He added, “My family and I have always wanted to take a barge holiday. We’re planning to head to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Wales over the summer. That’s something we’ve wanted to do for years, so this has helped make it happen.”
Impact and Eligibility
The scheme incentivizes the public to identify abandoned properties, helping to bring them back into use. Thompson noted that there are many unused homes and second homes on the Isle of Wight, making it easier to spot candidates. The reward system applies to properties in England and selected areas of Wales, with no upper limit on how many properties one can report.
