Squatters in Shrewsbury must know that they are easily evicted or arrested at any time.
Squatting means getting into a property in Shrewsbury and living there without the consent of the owner or the tenant.
When you are homeless in Ashford Bowdler, Oswestry/Croeswallt, or Shrewsbury, squatting is the last resort.
It can not prove to be a long-standing option for homeless people as they are most likely to be evicted from Shrewsbury or arrested by police.
However, you live in a property in Shropshire after your tenancy or license is expired then you cannot be termed as a squatter.
It is a criminal offense to squat in a rental property in Shrewsbury.
If found guilty after an arrest, you must:
Sent to jail in Shrewsbury for up to 6 months
Having to pay a fine up to £5,000
You may not be arrested in Shropshire if you:
Went to stay in the property in Shrewsbury after your tenancy or licence expired
Went into the Shropshire property believing you were given tenancy over it - an example is if a hoax agency that had to right to rent, rented you the property
A Gypsy or Traveller living on an unapproved site in Shrewsbury
As a squatter in Shrewsbury, you can easily be expelled if:
The Shropshire police aren't interested in arresting anyone
The owner of the property in Shrewsbury, Ashford Bowdler, or Oswestry/Croeswallt will not involve the police
They are living in a commercial premises in Shrewsbury
The owner in Shrewsbury can lock you out of the property whilst you are not there.
The owner can get a court order in Shropshire if you or another squatter refuse to leave the property in Shrewsbury.
Using or threatening violence against you is illegal for the owner.
The property owner must attach a copy of their possession claim to the front door of the house or post it through the letterbox at least five days before the court hearing in Shropshire.
The details of the time and place of court hearing must be mentioned in this form and a defence form with these forms.
You have the right to challenge the owner's case if you aren't a squatter in Shrewsbury.
You must return the defence form to the court and attend the court hearing in Shrewsbury.
However, if you are squatting, you will be ordered by the court in Shropshire to vacate the property in Shrewsbury without delay.
In case you decline to get out, the landlord may ask Shropshire court bailiffs to evict you.
A squatter in Ashford Bowdler, Shrewsbury, or Oswestry/Croeswallt is generally classified as homeless since they have no right to be staying where you live.
Apply to your local council in Shrewsbury and enjoy the homeless people's benefits.
Assuming you are single or homeless, the Shropshire council will offer advice where you can get a place to live in Shrewsbury.
You may also receive emergency help from specialist services in some areas in Shropshire rather than sleeping outside.
In some situation, the council in Shrewsbury may need to give you emergency shelter if you are deemed as a priority case (pregnant, with children, or in danger).
You don't have access to such provision if you are affected by residences or immigration restrictions, such as people whose immigration status doesn't give them access to public funds and asylum seekers in Oswestry/Croeswallt, Shrewsbury, or Ashford Bowdler are examples of people under such restrictions.
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