Squatters can be evicted and easily arrested in Greenwich.
Unlawful entry into a property in Greenwich and staying there without consent from the owner is called squatting.
If you're homeless, the squatting in Deptford, Maze Hill, or Greenwich isn't a long-term option for you.
Also, it shouldn't be taken as a long-term option if you are already homeless as squatters are liable to be evicted from Greenwich and arrested if need be.
You're not squatting if you stayed on in a property in Greater London after your tenancy or licence ended.
Don't forget living in someone's property in Greenwich without permission is a crime.
So, you can get arrested and you may face:
Be imprisoned in Greenwich to a maximum of 6 months
Pay up to £5,000 in fines
You should not be arrested in Greater London if you:
Continued living in the same premises in Greenwich after the end of tenancy or licence
You have been a victim of fraud agent and you entered a property in Greater London genuinely being a tenant
Being a Traveller or Gypsy staying on an illegal site in Greenwich
Squatters in Greenwich may be removed if:
Greater London police don't carry out the arrest and leave you with a warning
The property owner in Maze Hill, Deptford, or Greenwich doesn't want to involve the Police in the matter
It's commercial premises in Greenwich you are living in
Locks can be changed by the owner in Greenwich while you were not in the property.
The owner can obtain a court order in Greater London if you or any other squatter if you fail to move out of the property in Greenwich.
If the owner threatens you or uses the violence to evict you, it is completely 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 Greater London or two days for those living in a commercial building.
His claim forms sent to the squatter must include a defence form and details of the time and place of the court hearing.
If you're not a squatter in Greenwich, the landlord's argument must be contested.
Do this by applying to trial the defensive form and heading to court hearing in Greenwich.
If you squat, the Greater London court will order you to vacate the property in Greenwich pronto.
If you are squatting a property otherwise you will be evicted by the bailiffs from the court in Greater London.
As they do not have the right to be living where they are, squatters in Maze Hill, Greenwich, or Deptford are considered as homeless.
So, as a homeless individual, you can ask their local Council for help in Greenwich.
The Greater London council may assist you finding somewhere you can live in Greenwich if you aren't married and without a home.
There are certain areas in Greater London with specialist services to provide emergency assistance to eliminate sleeping rough.
In case you have urgent needs to be met for instance, you are pregnant or have children with you, the local council in Greenwich can assist in providing housing on emergency basis.
But if you are under immigration or residency restrictions, for instance, you are seeking asylum in Greenwich, Maze Hill, or Deptford or immigration status is showing that you don't have any access to public funds then Council is not bound to provide you with emergency or long-term housing solution.
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