Squatting, without a doubt, can lead to an eviction and arrest in Lancashire.
Squatting refers to the occupation of property or land in Lancashire without owner's or tenant's consent.
Squatting is typically a final option for people in Preston, Burnley, or Morecambe who are homeless.
If you're homeless, it isn't a long-term alternative as for sure you will be evicted from the property in Lancashire, and maybe even arrested.
You will not be regarded as a squatter in case you continue to reside on the property or land in Lancashire after the end of your license or tenancy.
Squatting in a residential property in Lancashire is considered a criminal offence.
You can be arrested and convicted and you may be:
Sent to jail in Lancashire for up to 6 months
Pay up to £5,000 in fines
You are exempted from an arrest in Lancashire in case you:
Continued to live in a premise in Lancashire after your tenancy ended
Living on a property in Lancashire you think you genuinely rented but were deceived by a fraudulent agent who had no right to rent the place out to you
Being a Traveller or Gypsy staying on an illegal site in Lancashire
As a Lancashire squatter, you can be evicted if:
The Lancashire police are not ready to carry out an arrest
The property owner in Preston, Morecambe, or Burnley doesn't want to involve the police
You are staying in a commercial property in Lancashire
As soon as you are not on the property, the Lancashire landowner can gain access to the property and replace all the locks.
In case the squatter has declined to vacate the property in Lancashire, and is still inside, the landlord can obtain court order in Lancashire to vacate.
It is against the law for the landlord to use violence or even threaten to use violence against you.
The landowner should serve a print of ownership claim forms either via a letterbox or have it placed on the door of the squatter 5 days before the court hearings in Lancashire or 2 days for people staying in commercial premises.
The forms should have the date and place of the court hearing and a defence form.
You must challenge the owner's case, in the event that you're not squatting in Lancashire.
That can be done by returning the defence form to the court and going to the court hearing in Lancashire.
The Lancashire court will usually order you to immediately vacate the premises in Lancashire if you are a squatter.
In case you decline to move from the property, the owner can request court bailiffs in Lancashire to escort you out.
Squatters in Morecambe, Burnley, or Preston are categorized as homeless since they don't have the right to be staying where they are.
If you are a squatter, apply to the local council in Lancashire to receive help as homeless individual.
The Lancashire council should be able to give you advice on where you can find a place to live in Lancashire if you're homeless and single.
Specialist emergency services are also available in some areas in Lancashire to avoid rough sleeping.
The council in Lancashire may have to provide you with emergency housing if you are pregnant, have children or are vulnerable.
The council cannot provide you with an emergency residence or long-term housing if you are under immigration or residence restrictions, e.g. If you are an asylum seeker in Burnley, Preston, or Morecambe and you have no rights on the public funds.
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