Squat Eviction In Croydon, Greater London

Squatters in Croydon are always at the risk of eviction and arrest.

What Is Squatting In Croydon, Greater London?

Squatting is when a person deliberately gains access to your property in Croydon and starts living there without the owner's or the tenant's consent.

Most times, squatting is the only remaining choice when you are homeless in New Addington, Warlingham, or Caterham.

The chances are that you'd be evicted from the Croydon property and arrested if you're committing this offence.

If you have continued to live in the property in Greater London after your lease ended, you are not a squatter.

When You Could Be Arrested In Greater London's Croydon

It is a criminal offense to squat in a rental property in Croydon.

It will result in an arrest and if found guilty you will be:

Prison in Croydon for about six (6) months

Get a fine of £5000 maximum

You may not be detained in Greater London if:

Have Been Squatting In A Commercially Owned Property In Warlingham, Caterham, Or New Addington

Remained in the rental property in Croydon after your license or tenancy ended

Entered the apartment in Greater London genuinely thinking you were a tenant - a fraudulent letting agent rented the property to you without the right to

A Gypsy or Traveller living on an unapproved site in Croydon

How To Evict Squatters In Greater London's Croydon

A squatter in Croydon can be easily evicted if:

The Greater London police feel there is no need for an arrest

The property owner in Warlingham, New Addington, or Caterham doesn't want to get the police involved

You are living in a commercial place in Croydon

The owner in Croydon, while you're all out, can enter and change the locks.

If you refuse to leave the Croydon property, the owner can't threaten or force you out rather, they can get a court order for your eviction in Greater London.

Using or threatening violence against you is illegal for the owner.

The owner of the property is bound to deliver copy of documents with possession claim to the squatter through post or letterbox no less than five days before the proceedings of the court in Greater London or at least two days before in case of a commercialized property.

It must include the defence form along with the details of the exact date and time of the hearing.

If you're not a squatter in Croydon, the landlord's argument must be contested.

This can be done by taking back the defence form to the court and attending the hearing in Croydon on the specified date.

If you are actually squatter, the court in Greater London will order you to vacate the property in Croydon right away.

If you don't leave the property, the owner can ask the Greater London court bailiffs to evict you.

How The Council Help The Homeless In Greater London's Croydon

As they do not have the right to be living where they are, squatters in Warlingham, Caterham, or New Addington are considered as homeless.

If you are a squatter, apply to the local council in Croydon to receive help as homeless individual.

The Greater London council will find alternative accommodation in Croydon for you if homeless and single.

There are areas in Greater London that offer emergency assistance via specialist services as an option to sleeping rough.

The council in Croydon may provide you with urgent housing service if you are in a priority need i.e. if you are pregnant, have children or vulnerable.

However, local council will not be able to assist you in emergency or long-term housing in case you are restricted with residency or immigration status such as asylum seekers in New Addington, Warlingham, or Caterham.