You can easily be ejected and arrested if you are squatting in Kensington.
Squatting involves occupying and residing in a property in Kensington without the owner or tenant's permission.
If you're homeless, the squatting in Acton, Bayswater, or Acton Green isn't a long-term option for you.
The chances are that you'd be evicted from the Kensington property and arrested if you're committing this offence.
You are not considered a squatter if you still live on land or property in Greater London once your tenancy or license has ended.
It is a criminal offence in Kensington to squat on a private property.
You may be arrested and be looking at:
Remand you in Kensington for up to 6 months
Levy you for up to £5,000
You are exempted from an arrest in Greater London in case you:
Stayed on in the house in Kensington after your tenancy ended
Genuinely moved into a property in Greater London thinking you were a tenant, but you were cheated by a bogus renting agent
Are a Traveller residing on an unauthorised land in Kensington
As a Kensington squatter, you can be evicted if:
The police in Greater London are unwilling to arrest you
Property owner in Acton, Bayswater, or Acton Green does not want to involve police in the matter
They are living in a commercial premises in Kensington
The landlord in Kensington has the power to go into the property to change the locks whilst you are not there.
The owner can obtain a court order in Greater London if you or any other squatter if you fail to move out of the property in Kensington.
It is not legal for the property owner to issue threats or use violence to evict someone.
In this case, the property owner must post a copy of his possession claim forms through the letterbox or attach the same to the squatter's front door, and this should be done at least five (5) days before the court hearing in Greater London.
These must include a form of defence and information of the court hearing's location and time.
In case you are not a unlawful tenant in Kensington, you may decide to challenge the property holder.
Do this by applying to trial the defensive form and heading to court hearing in Kensington.
The Greater London court will usually order you to immediately vacate the premises in Kensington if you are a squatter.
If they don't leave, the owner can request bailiffs from the Greater London court to evict you.
Squatters in Acton, Bayswater, or Acton Green don't have the right to live in the place where they are. Therefore, they are classed as homeless.
To take help, you can apply to the local council in Kensington and request to help you as a homeless person.
The Greater London council will give you advice about how to find a place to stay in Kensington if you are single and homeless.
Those who are priority can also get emergency housing from the council in Greater London as opposed to sleeping rough.
In some situation, the council in Kensington may need to give you emergency shelter if you are deemed as a priority case (pregnant, with children, or in danger).
The council does not have to offer emergency or long term housing if restrictions of residences or immigration apply to you, for instance if you are seeking asylum in Bayswater, Acton Green, or Acton or your immigration status means you have 'no recourse to public funds'.
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