UK industry supports squatting law

UK property owners will be protected against uninvited guests later in the year as the act of squatting becomes a criminal offence at long last following years of campaigning.

In recent times cases of squatting have been on the rise and homeowners and landlords whose properties have been invaded have faced lengthy and costly legal battles to get the trespassers evicted. Squatting currently a civil offence becomes a criminal offence at the start of September. Squatters who invade another person’s property will face a six month prison sentence and a fine up to £5,000.

The new law has been welcomed by the Landlord Syndicate who have lobbied for a change in law for some time warns UK property owners and landlords to ensure any uninhabited property they own is securely protected against unwanted visitors as this ruling will not remove the threat of squatters but will act as a deterrent to those tempted.