Squatting set to become a criminal offence

Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:09 am » by **TheDuck**

Squatting in a residential building in England and Wales becomes a criminal offence on Saturday, meaning squatters would face jail or a fine.

It follows a government consultation on the issue last summer.

Ministers said it would provide better protection for homeowners and "slam shut the door on squatters once and for all".

But campaigners warned the new law could criminalise vulnerable people and lead to an increase in rough sleeping.

Catherine Brogan, from the campaign group Squatter's Action for Secure Housing, told the BBC: "What we need is to tackle the housing crisis and not criminalise some of the most vulnerable people in our society."

The new offence will protect homeowners or legitimate tenants who find their home has been taken over by squatters.

It will also protect owners of vacant residential properties such as landlords, local authorities and second home owners.

Homeowner Hugh Whittle, who returned from a stay in hospital to find squatters had moved into his residence in London, told the BBC: "It was horrifying.

"Just going through the three or four months it took to get them out was a cost in stress. And cost in money as well, of course, lost rent. And the property did actually become worse in its condition which meant that we had to pay builders more."

Read More

Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:13 am » by **Dagnamski**

Upload to Disclose.tv

Fri Aug 31, 2012 11:58 am » by **TheDuck**

Haha, looks stupid but that's actually quite good for you...

Here's some "real" Callisthenics...

Upload to Disclose.tv

I've been doing those bar checkers, the second exercise, Callisthenics is great for fighting, speed etc...

Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:39 pm » by **99socks**

Upload to Disclose.tv

This is part 1... the others follow on YouTube.

Upload to Disclose.tv

Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:59 pm » by **Thruster**

Great timing as usual. Winter's just around the corner, they could have brought this law in last spring and given them some time to sort something out, but noooooooooooooo, lets see how many we can watch die of exposure to the elements.

Fuckin' blowholes.

:hell:

Sat Sep 01, 2012 12:18 am » by **Noentry**

Law criminalising squatting to be challenged in court by cottage dweller

rene Gardiner bringing case against Crown Prosecution Service and police over law change that could make her homeless

Irene Gardiner and her children in front of the house they have been squatting in since 2001.

A woman who has lived in an abandoned Welsh hillside cottage for 11 years is to challenge legislation that criminalises squatting.

Irene Gardiner, 49, raised her family in the 500-year-old timber and stone house at Newchapel, near Llanidloes, Powys.

Backed by lawyers in London, Gardiner is bringing a test case against the police and Crown Prosecution Service seeking assurances she will not be thrown out of the home she has inhabited since 2001.

Her cottage, which has no electricity or running water, has been occupied by squatters for several decades.

Last year Gardiner, who works as a puppeteer, jeweller and for circuses, tried to claim lawful possession of the property but her application failed.

The legislation comes into force on Saturday and exposes her and her children to the immediate threat of prosecution. Under section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, squatting in residential premises becomes punishable by up to six months' jail and fines up to £5,000 in England and Wales.

Like thousands of other squatters, she has been making last minute preparations in case there is a police raid – moving possessions to friends' homes.

A significant proportion of the UK's estimated 20,000 squatters face a similar risk of criminal charges and removal from their temporary accommodation.

The charity Crisis warned there could be a dramatic increase in street homelessness if police carry out a blitz on squats.

Two of Gardiner's children, Hazel, 15, and Sol, 13, live with her and attend local schools. She pays her council tax.

"The property was vacant and abandoned when I moved in," she said.

"No one had title to it. I had been travelling around Europe in a bus and when I came back I had nowhere to live.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/ ... sfeed=true

That is gonna be there problem.

When no one owns the home that will cause this new law a problem.
But I do agree with removing squatters from a house that is owned.

Get a job and pay some rent. Like the rest of us.

Sat Sep 01, 2012 12:49 am » by **Webhead**

lol what makes me laugh is it says it would make people homeless umm what about the poor people that have been shut out there own home due to dirty filthy squatters they didnt count those poor peoples who had the house stole,

but now they can get there own back ,best thing they have ever done , dirty filthy freeloaders ,

want a house go buy your own you dirty filthy thieves , id shoot you but then im not the pm shame this country would be a nice peacfull place, well after ive killed a few off ofcourse lol.

sorry i just hate theives.

Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:12 am » by **TheDuck**

Webhead wrote:lol what makes me laugh is it says it would make people homeless umm what about the poor people that have been shut out there own home due to dirty filthy squatters they didnt count those poor peoples who had the house stole,

but now they can get there own back ,best thing they have ever done , dirty filthy freeloaders ,

want a house go buy your own you dirty filthy thieves , id shoot you but then im not the pm shame this country would be a nice peacfull place, well after ive killed a few off ofcourse lol.

sorry i just hate theives.

Ever been homeless?

I'm not good with people taking someone's used house, if the owner wants them out then they should leave... But abandoned properties... I 'don't see much of a problem.

Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:24 am » by **Noentry**

Back in the day squatters were given this allowance from the law.
Because there were many abandoned houses, it was acceptable for people to move in and make it a home.
A man in Camden London moved into an abandoned local government house 30 years ago, that got lost in the paper work. It had been abandon for a couple of years.
15 years later they tried to evict him and the courts gave him ownership of a million pound house.
I think this decision was right.

Having homeless people living on the streets when there are many empty houses(in the past) was/is morally wrong.
As we have entered a stage, when we have a shortage of houses, where there are more people out there then there are houses, this is not a surprise.

Sat Sep 01, 2012 2:59 am » by **Mushroom**

Squatting has been a problem for a long time.. so why bring in this new legislation now?

Call me cynical, but I see a problem with inflation.. I see a problem with the bedroom tax (due for april 2013) .. I see a problem with increasing fuel and energy costs .. and I see a problem with stagnant wages.

Maybe the government also sees this and are trying to protect the interests of the landlords for the time when normal working class people can no afford to pay their mortgages /rent. This particular quote from the OP stuck in my throat...

It will also protect owners of vacant residential properties such as landlords, local authorities and second home owners.

Maybe, just around the corner, alot of people will not be able to afford to live in their own homes and pay the mortgage, or be able to afford the increased rent.. and they cannot fall back on the squatters rights routine.. they will become homeless or be imprisioned.

My cynical nature tells me there is a reason for this new law..but only time will tell