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ARTICLE · 05 SEPTEMBER 2012

Squatters Rights

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Is this more unnecessary legislation or have the government now rightly quashed squatters rights?

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Emma Buckland
Emma Buckland

Is this more unnecessary legislation or have the government now rightly quashed squatters rights?

Relying on apparent concern from the public as the reason for this move, the government has introduced a tough new law which criminalises squatting. Section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 has brought in an offence of squatting in a residential building. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that what are commonly known as "squatters' rights" - preventing forcible entry to an occupied building – have now become redundant in relation to residential premises.

The new legislation applies to people who have entered a residential building without permission, knowing that they shouldn't be there, and intend to stay for any length of time.

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