FAQ

Do you squat?

Yes.

How long have you been squatting?

I’ve been squatting since late 2009, so nearly 3 years now.

What is the legal situation in regards to squatting in the UK?

Squatting is legal in the UK. It is protected under Section 6 of the Criminal Law Act 1997 which makes it a criminal offence to evict squatters without taking them to court and gaining a Possession Order. People who illegally evict squatters (i.e. with force) can face up to six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.

For a squat to be legal the Occupiers need to have caused no criminal damage upon entering the property, need to have control over who can enter/leave the property and there needs to be one person inside the building at all times.

Recently the UK Government has began to create a law to make squatting in residential properties illegal. The law, hidden within the Legal Aid Bill 2010, is currently being discussed in the House of Lords after sucessfully being voted through in the House of Commons. For more information about the law visit SQUASH (Squatters’ Action for Secure Homes).

For more information about squatting in the UK in general you can visit ASS (Advisory Service for Squatters) who publish the very helpful and informative Squatter’s Handbook.

How do you get internet?

I currently don’t have internet in my house and use free wireless connections across the city. However, once in occupation of a building, a squatter is privvy to the same legal rights as a tenant. This includes the right to water, electricity, garbage collection, mail etc. Most squatters don’t install phone lines or internet connections in their homes however due to the temporary nature of squatting.

How did you get into squatting?

Before I ever visited a squat I had heard and read a lot about it. My first experience with squatting was in 2009 when I visited a punk festival and squatted a house for the weekend with some friends.

After that I visited a squatted convergence space and met a lot of people who were active in the squatting scene. I decided after staying there for a week, to move out of my house and start squatting.