Termination of Employees under the Labor Code.pptx
The uk law that protects owners and their properties against squatters
1. The UK Law that
Protects Owners and
their Properties
Against Squatters
MS Webb & Co.
2. The UK government has enforced an anti-squatting law to curb the increase of squatters taking over residential and
commercial properties.
Before the implementation of the law, organized squatter groups were said to exploit legal loopholes to take possession of
empty buildings around the nation. With the new law criminalising squatting, ministers said the government would slam
the door shut on squatters for the last time.
What the Law Enforces
Homeowners looking to maximise the law may simply complain to the police, who need to prove that the claim is genuine
before taking action and arresting the culprits. The police need to prove that the alleged squatters consciously entered a
building as a trespasser with the intention of living in it.
The law, however, does not recognise those who fall behind with their rent as offenders. It also doesn’t cover those who
remain in a property at the end of a tenancy or lease.
3. The law protects those who own vacant residential properties, such as landlords, second-home owners, and local
authorities. Those who break the law will be subject to a £5,000 fine, six months in jail or both.
Squatters’ Rights No Longer Applicable
When the law was implemented in 2012, Housing Minister Grant Shapps said the so-called squatter rights would no longer
be applicable. He said, "No longer will there be so-called squatters' rights. Instead, from next week, we're tipping the
scales of justice back in favour of the homeowner and making the law crystal clear: entering a property with the intention
of squatting will be a criminal offence."
He added: "For too long, hardworking people have faced long legal battles to get their homes back from squatters, and
repair bills reaching into the thousands when they finally leave.”
After Section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (s144 LASPOA) came into effect in
September 2012, there have been at least 738 arrests, 326 prosecutions, 260 convictions and 11 people imprisoned for the
offence, based on available data.
