The proposed new law will mean that homeowners won’t have to go through the civil courts in order to evict squatters from their properties.
Instead the police will be able to force entry and arrest anyone who has occupied a property without the consent of its owners. In Scotland squatting is already illegal and offenders can be jailed for up to 21 days.
Stephen Parry, commercial director at Landlord Assist, said: “We are delighted to hear that the Government is taking a firm stance on squatting by deeming it a criminal offence. Our firm has been lobbying hard to get central Government to acknowledge that squatting should be an illegal activity and that the process to deal with squatters is too protracted and incredibly stressful for landlords.”
To assist homeowners in protecting their properties, Landlord Assist is also urging the Government go take further action by removing websites which provide an advisory service and details of empty properties for squatters.
Graham Kinnear, managing director at Landlord Assist, said: “We would like to see those websites that offer lists of vacant properties and advice for squatters relating to Section 6 (1) of the Criminal Law Act to be removed from the internet as they simply provide an open invitation to squatters.
“The Government should take a responsible view by stopping sites that encourage this form of criminality. Such a move would create support from the leading landlord groups and landowners throughout the country.”
At present, squatters may legally enter an empty property provided they do not cause damage when gaining access. Existing laws protect squatters by preventing a homeowner from forcing their way back into a property using force.
Squatters may also claim possession of a home if they have occupied it continuously for over 10 years.It is estimated that there are over 100,000 instances of squatting each year in the UK. In Scotland where it is already a crime the issue is far less widespread.
