Section: Squatters
Consultation on Proposals to Make Squatting a Crime
A new crime of squatting has been proposed by Justice Minister Crispin Blunt.
Making squatting an offence for the first time, sending persistent offenders to prison and abolishing so-called 'squatters rights' are among a range of proposals put forward as part of a new Government consultation.
In the consultation - "Options for dealing with squatting" - the Government puts forward for discussion a number of plans to better protect home and business owners. These include:
- Introducing a new criminal offence of squatting, which could result in a prison sentence for the most persistent offenders.
- Abolishing so called 'squatters rights', which prevent legitimate occupiers of commercial property from using force to re-enter their properties if they have been occupied by squatters.
- Expanding existing offences so that business property owners have the same level of protection as displaced homeowners.
- Working with the enforcement authorities to help ensure squatters are prosecuted for any other offences they commit - e.g. criminal damage, burglary or using electricity without permission.
The consultation paper can be accessed here.
