Business owners could benefit from greater protection for their property under government moves to make squatting a crime.
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation seeking views on a range of proposals to strengthen the law on squatting to protect business and home owners. Details can be found here – http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/dealing-with-squatters.htm.
Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said: “Far too many people have to endure the misery, expense and incredible hassle of removing squatters from their property. Hard-working home and business owners need and deserve a justice system where their rights come first.“
Proposals in the consultation, which continues until 5 October, include:
- Introducing a new criminal offence of squatting, which could result in a prison sentence for the most persistent offenders
- Abolishing so-called squatters’ rights allowing legitimate occupiers of commercial property to use force to re-enter their properties
- Expanding existing offences so that business property owners have the same level of protection as displaced homeowners.
Richard Gore, a partner in the Litigation department at Gregg Latchams, said: “Businesses that have experienced problems with squatters in the past are likely to welcome these steps towards tackling the problem, including making squatting a criminal rather than a civil offence.
“Interestingly, squatting in Scotland has been a criminal offence since the 1860s and carries a potential punishment of up to 21 days in prison, but until the outcome of the consultation and implementation of any resulting changes to the law, property owners affected by squatting elsewhere in the UK must continue to repossess their property through the civil courts. Working with lawyers experienced in this work is a sensible step.”
For more information, please contact Richard Gore on 0117 906 9424, via twitter @richardagore or via LinkedIn.
