Homelessness charity hits out at new anti-squatting law
LEGISLATION to get tough on squatters could criminalise some of Cheltenham's most vulnerable people.
That is the fear of Cheltenham Open Door, a charity which works to support the town's homeless community.
Squatters could face up to six months in prison after it became a criminal offence in England and Wales last week.
Ministers said the move would shut the door on squatters and help to protect hard-working homeowners.
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But campaigners warned criminalising squatting in residential buildings would lead to an increase in homeless people sleeping rough.
Sara Reader, who works with homeless people through the Open Door Project, said: "It's a very difficult one. I have huge empathy for people whose houses get taken over and lived in by squatters.
"But on the other hand, I think people's perception about the kind of lifestyle squatters lead is wrong.
"The fact is that the vast majority of people who do the squatting are doing so out of desperation. It's not a lifestyle choice."
The introduction of the law – which means squatting will carry a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail for persistent offenders, a £5,000 fine or both – follows a consultation on the issue last summer.
Sara added: "I have deep concerns about this. The Government is not taking a long-term view. Do we really want to use up police resources arresting squatters?
"And if they get fined, what is the likelihood of the squatters actually being able to pay it?
"Criminalising them is not going to help anyone.
"What I think the Government should be doing instead is taking a broader view of the issue, including what leads people to squat in the first place."
The view was backed by homeless charity Crisis.
Chief executive Leslie Morphy said: "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.
"Ultimately the Government needs to tackle why homeless people squat in the first place."
Justice minister Crispin Blunt said the law would put an end to squatters' rights.
He said: "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."
Comments
by Matt1006
Thursday, September 06 2012, 6:56PM
“The squatting law is now in force, and should in my view have gone further. It (currently) only applies to squatting in residential properties, but should be extended to cover ALL buildings, and also ALL private land, so that the police can enter a playing field / highways land / farmer's field etc. if occupied without permission.
Yes, there will most likely be vulnerable people now made homeless as a result of the new law. But until the end of August if they occupied private property without permission they faced eviction eventually once the owner obtained a court order to evict them. So the situation regarding having a roof (somebody else's) over their heads hasn't really changed, it will mean they're removed much quicker, and will end up with a criminal record. The law is the law, so don't do anything to get on the wrong side of it.
The action groups need to accept that the new criminal squatting law is here, and it's here to stay. They need to re-focus - the Empty Homes Agency reports that there were 721,000 empty residential properties in England alone in 2011, nearly 279,000 (38%) of which are long-term empty (more than 6 months). Nearly 75,000 of the overall total (just over 10%) are owned by Councils, Housing Associations or "other public bodies". So, these properties need to be brought back into use as soon as possible, and made available for those who need them the most. Lobby these public bodies, and get them to sort out their empty properties ASAP, or otherwise sell them on to somebody else who will get them back into use.
The 646,000 privately-owned empty properties are an even bigger problem, but every one brought back into use provides another opportunity for legal occupation, and another potential squatter given a choice rather than committing a criminal offence by squatting. The action groups need to work on this too, given the huge number of residential property going to waste.
In Gloucestershire in 2011 there were 10,247 empty properties (with just over 3,000 in total empty for more than 6 months). 753 (7%) of the Glos total are owned by the Councils, HA's or some other public body. Why is this, and what are their owners doing about getting them re-occupied? Not enough, in my view. Stroud Council alone had 132 empty properties - disgraceful.”
by gallopingbear
Thursday, September 06 2012, 2:06PM
“6 months prison is a bit extreme for a case of genuine homelessness. However the law should be changed so that squatters can be removed IMMEDIATELY. It's a horrific thing to happen to the property of somebody who worked hard to buy it. What about tougher community punishment orders?”
by Walker100
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 11:55PM
“"Squatting" is generally the least of the troubles these miscreants cause. Usually, and I speak from experience, once within the property they then rig the meters to supply free gas and electric, sell anything of any value within the property and then wreck the place costing the homeowner many thousands of pounds to put the damage right and pay bills run up during the process, as well as the legal expense in removing them which includes solicitors fees, court costs, process servers fees, locksmiths fees et al.
"The fact is that the vast majority of people who do the squatting are doing so out of desperation."
This is simply not true. Again, my experience is that these people tend to have some sort of axe to grind that someone owns a property that they can afford not to live in. In real terms, however, the properties are waiting the return of the owner from somewhere else where they have been working for a living (an unknown concept to most squatters), waiting for hard earned funds to do the place up so they can move into it etc.
Most squatters are "experienced" squatters and use the laws in their favour to acquire free accommodation; it's as simple as that.”
by honslknjklyt
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 11:38PM
“There is no reason in this country why anyone has to be homeless. It is a myth and 'the great deal of homeless people do not want the help or have been given the help and have thrown those lifelines away.
They have no right to then plead vulnerability as a right to go and take what is not theirs be it accomodation, a car, land, food.”
by CommonSense
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:10PM
“Yes, it's sad when some one is homeless; however, on the basis of Sara Reader's argument - it is equally OK for a broke person to rob or mug another. Circumstances should never be a justification of harming another or desiring their property.”