You can be easily evicted and arrested if you are a squatter in Luton.
The term squatting means occupying land or property in Luton without the consent of the tenant or the owner.
Worthy of mention is that squatting in Houghton Regis, Caddington, or Dunstable can only be considered as a last resort.
It isn't an option that is long-term for the homeless, and you will possibly be arrested and almost certainly be removed in Luton.
If you have continued to live in the property in Bedfordshire after your lease ended, you are not a squatter.
Don't forget living in someone's property in Luton without permission is a crime.
It will result in an arrest and if found guilty you will be:
Sent to jail in Luton for up to 6 months
Fines up to £5,000
The following situations in Bedfordshire would not warrant an arrest:
Living on the property in Luton after your tenancy or you licence expired
Went into the Bedfordshire property believing you were given tenancy over it - an example is if a hoax agency that had to right to rent, rented you the property
Are living on an unapproved site in Luton as a traveller or a gypsy
A squatter in Luton can easily be evicted if:
The police refuse to make any arrests in Bedfordshire
The property owner in Houghton Regis, Caddington, or Dunstable doesn't want to get the police involved
You have occupied a commercial building in Luton
The owner in Luton can go to the property and change the locks while you are outside the premises.
If you or another squatter are in the property in Luton, if you refuse to leave, the owner will normally have to get a court order in Bedfordshire.
It is against the law for the owner towards you to threaten or use violence.
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 Bedfordshire.
The information provided must include a defence form as well as giving the knowledge of the place and time of the hearing.
In case you are not a squatter in Luton, then you can challenge the owner's claim of property possession.
This can be done by taking back the defence form to the court and attending the hearing in Luton on the specified date.
The court in Bedfordshire will order you to vacate the Luton property immediately if you are a squatter.
The owner can take help from court bailiffs in Bedfordshire if you don't leave the property after court orders.
Basically, squatters in Dunstable, Caddington, or Houghton Regis are regarded as homeless considering that they are not allowed to stay around.
Go to your local council in Luton if you are homeless and ask for help.
The Bedfordshire council will give you advice about how to find a place to stay in Luton if you are single and homeless.
Emergency help may be given to you by the specialist services as an alternative in some areas in Bedfordshire.
The council in Luton may provide you with urgent housing service if you are in a priority need i.e. if you are pregnant, have children or vulnerable.
The council cannot provide you with an emergency residence or long-term housing if you are under immigration or residence restrictions, e.g. If you are an asylum seeker in Dunstable, Caddington, or Houghton Regis and you have no rights on the public funds.
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