There are countless examples of it – a business shuts down and within days, squatters have moved in. Or a business is closed for refurbishment and while the project is taking place, people move in and start to use it for some illegal purpose. ‘Squatters rights’ – the reality Squatters are often the nightmare of […]
Archive | Commercial Squatters
Can squatters be arrested?
A squatter is an occupant of a building or land that is not being used, and who has no legal claim to the property and no prior permission to use the property. It is often the case that squatters claim a right to occupy a building or land based on Section 6 of the Criminal […]
Is CRAR more advantageous than forfeiture?
Even though most commercial leases end as they should, there are times when things don’t go according to plan and you may need to regain control of your property. If tenants fail to pay their rent, commercial landlords are often faced with the question of applying CRAR or forfeiture when it comes to regaining control […]
Post holiday squatters – What are your rights?
The holiday season is a prime one for squatters to occupy commercial buildings without permission, given that the owners are likely to be away for extended periods of time. If you find yourself in the position to have to deal with post-holiday squatters, here is a quick overview of your rights. Getting the police involved […]
Do you need the police to evict squatters?
Dealing with squatters as a property owner is never easy, but it’s important to follow the legal route to make sure the eviction process is done properly. Whilst the police should be informed in relation to commercial property, they will see it as a civil matter, whereas squatters in a residential property can be evicted […]
Can I claim for damage to property caused by squatters?
Squatting is defined by law as someone entering a property without the permission of the legal owner with the intention to live there. Also known as “adverse possession,” squatting is something that many landlords with empty properties are afraid of, and it can lead to difficulties when it comes to claiming for damage caused by […]
3 methods of removing commercial squatters
Due to legislation changes that took place in 2012, squatters have been displaced from residential to commercial property. As such, squatting has become a real issue for property managers, who need to make sure that they remove any squatters promptly and re-secure the property to prevent them from returning. (more…)
Do squatters have a right to stay in unoccupied premises?
Residential squatters The offence of squatting is committed when a person (1) is in a residential building as a trespasser; (2) knows or ought to know that he or she is a trespasser, and (3) is living in the building or intends to live there for any period. A person that is found guilty of […]
What to do if you discover squatters on return to work
If your business shuts down completely during a festive break, quiet season, or for term time holidays, then unfortunately, on the return to work, you always run the risk of discovering squatters. Dealing with squatters at any time can be a stressful experience, and can be especially stressful if returning to work after a relaxing […]
What to do when squatters reside in your holiday park
As winter is often ‘down season’ for holiday parks, they can easily become targets for squatters. Once these uninvited guests have taken up residence it can be difficult to remove them, so if you are a holiday park owner your approach should be two-fold. (more…)