Squatting, without a doubt, can lead to an eviction and arrest in Wigan.
Squatting involves occupying and residing in a property in Wigan without the owner or tenant's permission.
Most times, squatting is the only remaining choice when you are homeless in Wigan, Ashton-in-Makerfield, or Skelmersdale.
It doesn't offer a lasting solution for a destitute as you are likely to be evicted from the Wigan premises and sent to the bars by the police.
You are not a squatter if you stayed on the property in Greater Manchester after the end of license or tenancy.
It is a crime to squat in a residential property in Wigan.
It will result in an arrest and if found guilty you will be:
Remand you in Wigan for up to 6 months
Pay up to £5,000 in fines
They will not arrest you in Greater Manchester if you:
Stayed on in the house in Wigan after your tenancy ended
Went into the Greater Manchester 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 unauthorized location in Wigan
Wigan squatters can be evicted for many reasons, such as:
The police in Greater Manchester do not want to arrest you
The property owner in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, or Skelmersdale doesn't want to involve the Police in the matter
You are staying in a commercial property in Wigan
The owner in Wigan can gain access and change locks while all of you are outside.
The property owner in Wigan may also get a court order in Greater Manchester to facilitate the eviction when squatters refuse to leave.
The owner cannot use violence against you or threaten 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 Greater Manchester or 2 days for people staying in commercial premises.
This must include a form for defence, and the date and other court hearing details.
You may challenge the landlord's case if you are not squatting in the property in Wigan.
Do this by going to the court hearing in Wigan on the date specified and return the defence forms to the court.
If you are actually squatter, the court in Greater Manchester will order you to vacate the property in Wigan right away.
If you don't vacate the property, bailiffs from the court in Greater Manchester may evict you on the owner's order.
As they do not have the right to be living where they are, squatters in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Skelmersdale, or Wigan are considered as homeless.
You can apply as a homeless person at your local council in Wigan for assistance.
If you are single and homeless you must be advised on finding someplace to stay in Wigan by the Greater Manchester council.
Emergency help may be given to you by the specialist services as an alternative in some areas in Greater Manchester.
Based on your priority need, you may get emergency housing from the council in Wigan, for instance, you are vulnerable, expectant or have minors.
Those who come under the immigration or residences restrictions won't be able to get longer-term housing from the council, such as asylum seekers in Wigan, Ashton-in-Makerfield, or Skelmersdale or a "no recourse to public funds" status.
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