Savvy Squatters In The UK

The Independent in the UK reports on the increasing number of squatters in the UK who are young, middle class professionals. These people are affected by recession, increase in rents and house prices and take advantage of a number of properties lying vacant due to repossessions.

Squatting is not illegal in England as long as entry to a vacant property is not forced and the people looking to camp on a property exploit this law.

From the Independent:

Experts say the new generation of squatters have a greater understanding of the law and how it can protect them, helped in part by sophisticated legal advice available on the internet.

Ben Gower for UK Bailiff Company said squatters had become legally savvy. He said one person would walk up to a property, break a window and walk away. Then another would come along and enter the property through that window and put up a “squatters’ rights” notice. “Previously squatters were people who didn’t have money and found empty premises,” Mr Gower said. “Now they break in and others put up a section 6 notice saying ‘we are squatting on these premises’.”

The UK government, alarmed by the increasing number of squatters, has promised more powers to councils and landowners to deal with them.

Independent: “Young, urban professional seeks home – vacant premises will do”