Residential squatting to be outlawed this week

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Legal

From 1 September, squatting in residential and social housing properties will be outlawed.

Under the new law, it will be an offence for a person to be inside a residential property if they entered it as a trespasser. However, it will not be an offence if a person stays in a property after the end of a lease or licence.

Through Section 144 of the amended Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, a building is "residential" if it has been designed or adapted before the time of entry as a place to live.

Squatters convicted under the act could face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine of up to £5,000, or both.

The act also states that the offences of criminal damage, theft or burglary might be relevant if doors or windows of the property have been broken to gain access or items inside have been used damaged or removed.

Squatting in commercial property is not included in the new law and remains a civil offence.