In 2011, the BBC reported that the British government estimated that there were "20,000 squatters in the UK" and "650,000 empty properties"
The debated issue of squatting
has been featured in the news a lot recently as a result of the introduction of
a new squatting law that commenced on 1st September of this year
(referred to as Weatherly’s Law). The law designed to stop squatters from
taking over residential homes (stories of which have been provoking public
outcry for many years) without the owner’s permission; in effect giving power
back to the home-owners who have previously been unable to evict the squatters from
their homes. With squatting often described as a victim-less crime, the law
change has inevitably provoked fierce debate on the subject.
Clearly there are two sides to
every story; in this case the side of the squatter and of the landlord or
homeowner affected. One of the most powerful arguments in favor of squatters’
rights is that with inadequate or unavailable housing solutions (partly as a
result of not enough housing being built to balance the effects of the Right to
Buy Scheme), it is illogical and unethical to NOT allow homeless people to seek
shelter in abandoned houses. The abuse of squatting rights however has led to
the homeowner fighting back.
In principal, I agree with squatters
being allowed to reside in abandoned houses and buildings until a more suitable
accommodation arises. Whilst clearly not an ideal situation, it seems safer,
warmer and more secure than life on the streets. However, cases are often
reported involving a family returning from holiday to find a group of squatters
have moved in and refuse to leave. Before the change in the law, many people in
this situation were unable to force the squatters out of their home, without
spending thousands of pounds taking it through the courts, as it was seen as a
civil matter.
A Ministry of Justice
spokesperson said: "For too long squatters have been playing the justice
system and have caused homeowners untold misery in eviction, repair and
clean-up costs. It is extremely encouraging that the new criminal offence of
squatting in a residential building is enabling the police and other agencies to take quick and
decisive action to protect homeowners against squatting."
The problems therefore arise when
the act begins to affect the owners of the property. With many complaining that
they have had to take their property off the market following squatters
entering their home, damage to the property and loss of earnings through rent,
it is unsurprising that this law has been brought about. This seemingly victim-less crime has been proven otherwise. The response to this problem
however does not seem likely to solve the problem of squatting. Whereas the
approach taken in this situation involves criminalizing the squatter who now
faces up to 6 months imprisonment* for the offence, a more viable and long-term
solution would be to spend the money that would be used in locking up ‘offenders’
on creating more affordable housing or shelter schemes.
*Yesterday, 21 year old Alex Haigh became the first squatter to be
handed a prison sentence under the new law- he was handed a sentence of 12
weeks and a fine of £100.
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