Squatting and the law
Squatting in non-residential properties
A non-residential property is any building or land that is not designed to be lived in.
Simply being on another person’s non-residential property without their permission is not usually a crime. The police can take action if squatters commit other crimes when entering or staying in a property.
Crimes include:
- causing damage when entering the property
- causing damage while in the property
- not leaving when they’re told to by a court
- stealing from the property
- using utilities like electricity or gas without permission
- fly-tipping
- not obeying a noise abatement notice
Contact the police if you see someone breaking into or damaging property.