If you are squatting in Lewisham, you could be easily arrested and evicted.
Squatting involves occupying and residing in a property in Lewisham without the owner or tenant's permission.
Squatting is normally a last resort for homeless people in Deptford, Catford, or Bell Green.
If you're poor, it's not a long-term solution as you're almost certainly going to be evicted from the Lewisham property and charged.
You are not a squatter if you stayed on the property in Greater London after the end of license or tenancy.
You'd be committing a criminal offense if you're squatting in a residential property in Lewisham.
You can be arrested and if convicted can be:
Sentenced in Lewisham for up to 6 months
Fines up to £5,000
You may not be detained in Greater London if:
Continued living in the same premises in Lewisham after the end of tenancy or licence
A fake agent rented you to a property in Greater London which they had no right to, as it is not your fault
You are a traveller or nomad living on unauthorised land in Lewisham
Squatters in Lewisham can be evicted if:
Greater London police don't carry out the arrest and leave you with a warning
The owner of the property in Bell Green, Catford, or Deptford does not want to call the police
They are living in business premises in Lewisham
The landlord in Lewisham has the power to go into the property to change the locks whilst you are not there.
If in the property in Lewisham there is anyone present, if you refuse to leave the owner must get an order from the court in Greater London.
It is against the law for the landlord to use violence or even threaten to use violence against you.
The landlord needs to give a possession claim form copy to the squatters (either by post or attaching to the door) at least five days before the court hearing in Greater London is due - or two days if this is occurring 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.
You should challenge the owner's case in the law court, especially if you are not squatters in Lewisham.
Do this by applying to trial the defensive form and heading to court hearing in Lewisham.
The Greater London court will usually order you to immediately vacate the premises in Lewisham if you are a squatter.
The owner must require the bailiffs from the court in Greater London to evict you if you don't leave.
Squatters in Bell Green, Deptford, or Catford are generally regarded as homeless people since they do not have any right to stay at the place which belongs o you.
Since you don't have somewhere to go to, it would be wise to apply to the local council in Lewisham for help as a homeless person.
The Greater London council should give you advice on finding somewhere to live in Lewisham if you are single ad homeless.
Some areas in Greater London offer expert services which offer emergency help so that you do not have to sleep just anywhere.
The council in Lewisham can provide emergency housing to the people who are vulnerable, have children or are pregnant.
However, if immigration restrictions such as no recourse to public funds applies to you or you are an asylum seeker in Deptford, Catford, or Bell Green, then the council does not need to provide any emergency shelter or long-term property.
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