Charities Fear Squatting Law Will Raise Homelessness

Charities have warned making squatting illegal will drive up homelessness, as new powers come into effect.  From 1 September squatting in residential buildings has been a criminal offence in England and Wales.  Under the new law, squatters could face a year in jail or a £5,000 fine if they trespass onto the property.  Leslie Morphy, chief executive, Crisis said, ‘It will do nothing to address the underlying reasons why vulnerable people squat in the first place - their homelessness and a lack of affordable housing.’  Landlords will be able to complain to the police who can then arrest the squatters.  The law will not catch tenants who originally occupied properties with permission but subsequently refused to vacate.  Previously squatting has been treated as a civil matter meaning that landlords had to go to court to prove that squatters have trespassed onto their property to get an eviction.  Read more on the Crisis website.