Crackdown on squatters

Squatting would become a criminal offence under government proposals launched this week in a Ministry of Justice consultation paper

Persistent squatters could go to prison, under the proposals in Options for dealing with squatters, while business property owners would be given the same level of protection as homeowners, and squatters would be prosecuted for burglary, using electricity without permission and criminal damage as well as the new squatting offence. The government also proposes to abolish the law preventing legitimate occupiers of commercial property from using force to re-enter their properties once squatters have moved in. The consultation ends on 5 October 2011.

Categories: Legal News

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Crackdown on squatters

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Switalskis—Naila Arif, Harriet Findlay & Ellie Thompson

Ward Hadaway—Matthew Morton

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Nina Hood