If you are a squatter in Bristol, you risk being evicted easily or arrested.
Squatting refers to the occupation of property or land in Bristol without owner's or tenant's consent.
Squatting in Arno's Vale, Canon's Marsh, or Barton Hill is mostly a last resort for someone who is homeless.
Also, it shouldn't be taken as a long-term option if you are already homeless as squatters are liable to be evicted from Bristol and arrested if need be.
You will not be regarded as a squatter in case you continue to reside on the property or land in Bristol after the end of your license or tenancy.
Squatting in a residential property in Bristol is considered a criminal offence.
It is likely you will get arrested and convicted of:
Prison in Bristol for about six (6) months
Fined up to £5000
You should not be arrested in Bristol if you:
Remaining on the property in Bristol after the expiration of your license or tenancy
Believed you are renting the Bristol property legally- for instance, a fake property agent leased you a property when they shouldn't have
Are a Gypsy or traveller living in an unauthorized camp in Bristol
As a squatter in Bristol, you will be possibly be evicted if:
Bristol police don't carry out the arrest and leave you with a warning
Property owner in Arno's Vale, Canon's Marsh, or Barton Hill does not want to involve police in the matter
You live in business premises in Bristol
The landlord in Bristol has the power to go into the property to change the locks whilst you are not there.
In case the squatter has declined to vacate the property in Bristol, and is still inside, the landlord can obtain court order in Bristol to vacate.
It is against the law for the owner towards you to threaten or use violence.
In this case, the property owner must post a copy of his possession claim forms through the letterbox or attach the same to the squatter's front door, and this should be done at least five (5) days before the court hearing in Bristol.
His claim forms sent to the squatter must include a defence form and details of the time and place of the court hearing.
You will have to challenge the owner's claim if you are not a squatter in Bristol.
This is achieved by returning to the court, the defence form, and attending the hearing at court in Bristol.
You will be ordered to quickly leave the property in Bristol by the court in Bristol.
Failure to vacate, the owner must ask the court bailiffs in Bristol to remove you.
Squatters in Arno's Vale, Barton Hill, or Canon's Marsh are classified as homeless because they don't have permission to live where they are.
If you are a squatter, apply to the local council in Bristol to receive help as homeless individual.
The Bristol council must advise you to find a place to stay somewhere in Bristol if you are homeless and also single.
Sometimes emergency help may provide you with temporary shelter in Bristol through specialist services.
If you have children or if you are pregnant, the council in Bristol will provide you with emergency housing as well and the same applies to the vulnerable.
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 Arno's Vale, Canon's Marsh, or Barton Hill or a "no recourse to public funds" status.
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