Eviction Of Squatters In London, Greater London

If you're a squatter in London, you'll be easily ejected and arrested.

In London, Greater London, what is squatting?

Squatting means gaining entrance into a property in London and residing there without the tenant or landlord's permission.

Squatting in Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, or Islington is typically a final resort for the homeless.

It is not a long-term option if you're homeless as there's a high probability that you'll be caught and evicted from the London location.

If you refuse to move out from a property in Greater London when your licence or tenancy ended, you're not a squatter.

When You Might Be Arrested In London, Greater London

Squatting in a housing property is an unlawful crime in London.

You can be detained and if found guilty:

Sent to prison for up to six months in London

Fined up to £5,000

You shouldn't be arrested in Greater London if you:

Are squatting in commercial buildings in Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, or Islington

Remain in the house in London when your licence or occupancy has expired

Gained entrance into the Greater London property while sincerely believing you were an occupant - for instance if a fake leasing agent gave you a house that they had no right to

Are a Traveller or Gypsy staying on an unpermitted site in London

How Squatters Are Often Evicted In London, Greater London

You can be easily removed as a London squatter if:

The Greater London police aren't willing to hold out an arrest

The landowner in Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, or Islington doesn't want to engage the law enforcement agents

You reside in commercial buildings in London

The property owner in London can come in and alter the locks while you're all out.

If you or another squatter is within the building in London, the landlord must generally obtain a writ in Greater London if you refuse to go away.

It's prohibited for the landlord to threaten or use violence against you.

The landowner must post a replica of their possession claim forms via the letterbox or attach it to the front entrance, a minimum of 5 days prior to the court hearing in Greater London (or 2 days if you're a squatter in a commercial property).

These must contain a defence form and specifics of the time and place of the court hearing.

If you're not a squatter in London, you ought to challenge the owner's case.

Do that by taking the defence form back to the court and attend the court hearing in London.

If you're a squatter, the Greater London court will typically ask you to move out of the property in London instantly.

If you don't move out, the landowner must request the Greater London court law officers to throw you out.

Homelessness Help From The Council In London, Greater London

Squatters in Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, or Islington are categorized as homeless since you do not have the authorisation to be staying where you're.

You can appeal to your local council in London for assistance as a homeless individual.

The council in Greater London should offer you guidance and support on finding somewhere to live in London if you're single and homeless.

In some locations in Greater London, professional services may help you with emergency support as a substitute for sleeping rough.

The London council may need to offer you emergency housing if you're in priority need (for instance, if you're pregnant, have children or are defenceless).

The council does not need to provide longer-term or emergency housing if residences or immigration limitations apply to you (for instance, if you're a refuge seeker in Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, or Islington or your status of immigration means you've got 'no access to public funds').