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ARTICLE · 09 APRIL 2013

Squatters Face Criminal Penalties

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

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There has been increasing concern about the cost and inconvenience caused by squatters when they occupy property.

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Emma Humphreys
Emma Humphreys

There has been increasing concern about the cost and inconvenience caused by squatters when they occupy property, not least because of the apparent inability of the police to assist property owners and occupiers when such problems occur. As a result, owners and occupiers have too often had to spend considerable sums in seeking to evict squatters, repairing damage and cleaning up the debris they leave behind.

However, it may be that these problems are in the past - at least for owners and occupiers of residential premises. Since 1 September 2012, when section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 came into force, there now exists an offence of squatting in a residential building. But will the police be willing to use the new offence and, if so, what are the implications for the owners of commercial properties?

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