Squatters and unauthorised occupants
We are working with the police and partner organisations to take
steps to try to prevent squatters gaining access to empty
properties in the Borough. We know this is an issue both nationally
and across Redbridge and we recognise the problems this can create
for neighbours and the local community.
Measures to prevent squatters include:
- working closely with owners of empty properties to bring them
back into use
- sharing lists of known empty properties with the Police so that
Safer Neighbourhood Teams can assess them on patrols
- Visit properties which are vulnerable to squatting to make sure
they are well secured. If they are not, the Council will serve a
statutory notice to get the property boarded up or securely locked
and recoup any costs from the owner.
The Law on squatting
The law on squatting is very complex and the Council’s powers
are limited.
- We have no powers to evict squatters from privately owned
properties
- In severe cases where the property is a danger to squatters
living in it, the Council can serve a notice on the owner to order
them to seek court proceedings to gain an eviction
notice
- this is done in extreme cases and if ignored by the property
owner, could result in prosecution
- If the property is Council owned we are able to go to court for
eviction proceedings in the same way as any other property
owners.
-
See the Metropolitan Police advice on squatters / Police statement on squatting in Redbridge.
The Government is currently proposing an amendment to the Legal
Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which is currently
going through parliament which will make squatting in a residential
property a criminal act. A petition submitted by residents supports
this change to the Bill and was backed by the Council on 19 January
2012.
Tips on avoiding squatters in your property
- Make sure your home is not left empty for long periods of time
where possible
- If it is going to be left empty you could make it look lived
in, by hanging curtains and maintaining the gardens.
What we have done about empty properties
The Council has recently helped bring 100 empty properties back
into use across Redbridge.
Help for property owners includes:
- advising them on grants to help bring the property back to a
liveable condition
- helping them to find tenants or to sell the property.
Help and advice
The Council can offer housing advice to squatters who may be
eligible for help with finding a home or can be signposted to
relevant services who can help.
If anyone has a concern that a child may be at risk of harm or
being harmed either through living in an unsuitable property or in
any other way they should contact the Child Protection Assessment
Team (CPAT) on 020 8708 3885.
If you own or know of an empty property in Redbridge then
please:
