It looks like the Squatters Rights have at last come to an end. On 1st September the catchy statutory order – “Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act” comes into force.
From 1st September it will become a criminal offence to squat – and offenders face a 51 week prison sentence (a sort of legal squat if you like) or a £5,000 fine.
It isn’t clear yet just how this will work. My experience of squatters is that the Police simply don’t want to get involved. They just point you in the direction of the slow, expensive and procedure-ridden Court system. Hopefully this will change.
But there may be a side-effect of this.
The new law only applies to residential property – not commercial. These people (I’m being kind – as the one’s I have ‘met’ have been just above single-cell organisms) do not have homes. They need to sleep somewhere. So they are likely to turn their attention to commercial properties – factories, offices and shops. Will we see our High Streets turned into squats? Probably? Not quite what Mary Portas had in mind?
The Government need to make squatting illegal. These ‘people’ illegally occupy other people’s property. It doesn’t matter what the property is – or whether it is empty.
A good starter for 10. But the job isn’t done yet.
Tim. Without wanting to be Mr right-on, there does need to be some alternative for people though. There are loads of people, who have fallen into debt or drug problems who can’t get a place to live in the conventional rented sector.
Maybe like your post yesterday, looking at alternative uses for unused commercial property may also be a solution to find these people places to live in an ultra low cost environment, and create a demand for unused commercial space.
They’re called shelters!! Do we want people illegally taking over these places? Sorry too many bad experiences – and no good experiences!
No, what i’m saying is build some more legal shelters for people as a a better and more sustainable alternative to squatting!
I’m not sure these people want to live in shelters John. I think they like comfortable expensive flats and houses? Especially when there are no strings attached or rules!
I think you don’t really know what and who are you talkin’ abt.
There are many different people squatting for many other different reasons.
The only reason of this law is the money business.
Thanks for the comment – I presume there is a reason you need to hide behind an anonymous sharklaser email address?
Indulge me; what the ‘many reasons’ people squat?
The law change is because squatters illegally take other peoples property. It is time it changed. The ‘money’ involved in removing squatters is expensive. The squatters generally don’t pay….
A bit harsh. Some of my best friends etc …
Stephen 07957 163 449
Stephen Barker
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What? … some of your friends have had their houses broken into and trashed by squatters?!
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