31.08.12
Law change over squatting due tomorrow
Squatting will become a criminal offence in England and Wales on Saturday, the Government has announced. People who move into a residential building could face jail, a fine or both. The maximum penalty will be six months in jail or a £5,000 fine.
Squatting is currently treated as a civil matter and homeowners must go to a civil court to prove the squatters have trespassed before they can be evicted.
Someone who falls behind with their rent or remains in a property at the end of a lease or tenancy would not be committing an offence under the new law, but it will apply to existing squatters.
The Ministry of Justice has issued guidance for police on the new offence.
Housing minister Grant Shapps said: “For too long, hardworking people have faced long legal battles to get their homes back from squatters, and repair bills reaching into the thousands when they finally leave.
“No longer will there be so-called squatters’ rights. Instead, from next week, we’re tipping the scales of justice back in favour of the homeowner and making the law crystal clear: entering a property with the intention of squatting will be a criminal offence.”
But some have warned that the move will criminalise victims.
Leslie Morphy, chief executive of the homeless charity Crisis, said: “It will do nothing to address the underlying reasons why vulnerable people squat in the first place – their homelessness and a lack of affordable housing.
“Ultimately the Government needs to tackle why homeless people squat in the first place by helping not punishing them.”
Squatting is already illegal in Scotland.
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