Squatters in Cheltenham are susceptible to removal and being arrested.
Squatting implies entering a property in Cheltenham and living there without getting the permission of the owner of the property.
In most cases, squatting comes in as the last choice for someone who is homeless in Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham, or Shurdington.
It isn't an option that is long-term for the homeless, and you will possibly be arrested and almost certainly be removed in Cheltenham.
You are not a squatter because you live in a house in Gloucestershire when your lease or license has expired.
It is considered a criminal offence in Cheltenham to be squatting in a residential building.
It is likely you will get arrested and convicted of:
Sent to jail in Cheltenham for up to 6 months
Required to pay £5,000 fine
You won't be arrested in Gloucestershire if you:
You remained in the land in Cheltenham after the end of tenancy or license
You got deceived by a fraud rental agent and you actually thought you are a tenant in the property in Gloucestershire
You are only a gypsy or traveller camping on an unlicensed land in Cheltenham
You can be removed as a squatter in Cheltenham if:
The police in Gloucestershire don't wish to arrest you
The property holder in Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham, or Shurdington is reluctant to involve the police
You are living in commercial premises in Cheltenham
And the property owner in Cheltenham may change the locks when you are not around.
In case a squatter in a property in Cheltenham refuse to move out, the owner may seek a court injunction in Gloucestershire.
Use of violence or threat against you is illegal.
The property owner must give a copy of possession claim papers either through the letterbox or post it on the squatter's door at least five days prior to the court proceedings in Gloucestershire or two days for those living in a commercial building.
The details in the forms must include the time and place of the court hearing, as well as the defence form.
You may challenge the landlord's case if you are not squatting in the property in Cheltenham.
This is achieved by returning to the court, the defence form, and attending the hearing at court in Cheltenham.
You will be ordered to quickly leave the property in Cheltenham by the court in Gloucestershire.
If you refuse to leave the property, then the landlord needs to ask the official Gloucestershire court bailiffs to remove you from the premises.
If you are a Squatter in Cheltenham, Bishop's Cleeve, or Shurdington, you are deemed to be homeless as you have no right to live in another person's property illegally.
As a homeless person, you can apply to your local council in Cheltenham for help.
The Gloucestershire council will find alternative accommodation in Cheltenham for you if homeless and single.
In some Gloucestershire areas, specialist services may render emergency help as an alternative to sleeping rough.
The Cheltenham council provide emergency housing to those in priority need, such as having vulnerable children and being pregnant.
However, local council will not be able to assist you in emergency or long-term housing in case you are restricted with residency or immigration status such as asylum seekers in Cheltenham, Shurdington, or Bishop's Cleeve.
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