New law to ‘slam the door’ on squatters

Ministers said the move will “slam the door on squatters once and for all” and help protect homeowners.

Under the new criminal offence, squatters will face up to six months in jail, be fined £5,000, or both.

Squatters are increasingly targeting expensive houses in exclusive London neighbourhoods, as pictured above.

In the past year alone, there has been more than double the number of court orders taken out to evict squatters from high-valued homes, which are often left empty for long periods by wealthy homeowners who are living abroad.

But campaigners warned that criminalising squatting would lead to an increase in some of the most vulnerable homeless people sleeping rough.

Homeless charity Crisis’ chief executive, Leslie Morphy, said the government should be examining the root cause of the problem.

“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.

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. – Leslie Morphy, Crisis chief executive

“Ultimately the government needs to tackle why homeless people squat and help, not punish them,” she said.

But Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said homeowners needed the legal system to work in their favour.

“For too long, squatters have had the justice system on the run and have caused homeowners untold misery in eviction, repair and clean-up costs.

“Hard-working homeowners need and deserve a justice system where their rights come first – this new offence will ensure the police and other agencies can take quick and decisive action to deal with the misery of squatting.

Hard-working homeowners need and deserve a justice system where their rights come first. – Crispin Blunt, Justice Minister

“And by making this change, we can slam shut the door on squatters once and for all,” he said.