Squat Eviction In Tower Hamlets, Greater London

Squatters in Tower Hamlets are susceptible to removal and being arrested.

What Squatting Means In Greater London's Tower Hamlets?

Squatting simply means staying on property or land in Tower Hamlets without permission from the owner or leaseholder.

If you are homeless in Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs, or Canary Wharf, this is usually a last resort for you.

It's not a long-term alternative for homeless persons and you'll most like be removed from Tower Hamlets and probably arrested by the police.

If you continue living on a property in Greater London after the expiration of your license or tenancy, that's not squatting.

When You Could Be Arrested In Tower Hamlets, Greater London

It is a criminal offence in Tower Hamlets to squat on a private property.

You can get arrested and in case you get convicted, you might:

Be sentenced up to 6 months in Tower Hamlets

Levy you for up to £5,000

Reasons why you should not be arrested in Greater London:

Squatting Is Done In Commercialized Buildings In Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf, Or Whitechapel

Stayed on the property in Tower Hamlets following the end of your tenancy or license

You truly went into a premise in Greater London believing that you are a tenant only to find out that you were conned by a fake renting agent

A Gypsy or Traveller living on an unauthorized location in Tower Hamlets

Procedures For Evicting Squatters In Greater London's Tower Hamlets

Squatters in Tower Hamlets may be removed if:

The Greater London police seem unwilling to arrest the squatter

The owner of the property in Isle of Dogs, Whitechapel, or Canary Wharf does not want to call the police

You are living in a commercial place in Tower Hamlets

The owner in Tower Hamlets can gain access and change locks while all of you are outside.

The property owner in Tower Hamlets may also get a court order in Greater London to facilitate the eviction when squatters refuse to leave.

The owner cannot use violence to throw you out of the place because it is illegal.

The property owner must give a copy of possession claim papers either through the letterbox or post it on the squatter's door at least five days prior to the court proceedings in Greater London or two days for those living in a commercial building.

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 Tower Hamlets, the landlord's argument must be contested.

Do this by going to the court hearing in Tower Hamlets on the date specified and return the defence forms to the court.

The Greater London court will usually order you to immediately vacate the premises in Tower Hamlets if you are a squatter.

If you refuse to leave the property, then the landlord needs to ask the official Greater London court bailiffs to remove you from the premises.

Homeless Support From The Council In Tower Hamlets In Greater London

Squatters in Isle of Dogs, Whitechapel, or Canary Wharf are classified as homeless because you are not entitled to live where you are.

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

Local council in Greater London can assist you in finding a place for stay in Tower Hamlets if you are homeless and also single.

Some areas in Greater London offer an emergency service to homeless people to give them an option instead of squatting.

If you are in priority need (for example, if you are pregnant, have children or are vulnerable) the council in Tower Hamlets may need to provide you with emergency housing.

Those who come under the immigration or residences restrictions won't be able to get longer-term housing from the council, such as asylum seekers in Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf, or Whitechapel or a "no recourse to public funds" status.