Squatters in Darlington are susceptible to removal and being arrested.
The term squatting means occupying land or property in Darlington without the consent of the tenant or the owner.
If you are homeless in Newton Aycliffe, Darlington, or Bishop Auckland, this is usually a last resort for you.
The chances are that you'd be evicted from the Darlington property and arrested if you're committing this offence.
If you have continued to live in the property in Durham after your lease ended, you are not a squatter.
Squatting in a residential property is considered a criminal offence in Darlington.
You risk being arrested and in case you are found guilty, you may:
Spend up to 6 months in prison in Darlington
Pay a fine of up to £5,000
You should not be prosecuted in Durham if you:
Continued to live in a premise in Darlington after your tenancy ended
You have been deceived into thinking you were a tenant, for instance, if you have rented a property in Durham from a fraudulent agent
You are a traveller or gypsy living on an unauthorized area in Darlington
A squatter in Darlington can easily be evicted if:
The police in Durham do not want to arrest you
Property owner in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, or Newton Aycliffe does not want to involve police in the matter
They are living in a commercial premises in Darlington
And the property owner in Darlington may change the locks when you are not around.
If there is a squatter inside the property in Darlington, the landlord will have to first get a Durham court order if there is anyone who has refused to vacate.
However, the usage of threats or being violent for evicting someone is not legalized.
The owner needs to attach the copy of their possession claim forms to the front door at least 5 days before court hearing in Durham, or 2 days for those situated on commercial premises.
Remember defence forms and court hearing date and time must be included in this copy.
You will have to challenge the owner's claim if you are not a squatter in Darlington.
This is achieved by returning to the court, the defence form, and attending the hearing at court in Darlington.
If you are squatting, the Durham court will usually order you to vacate the property in Darlington there and then.
If you fail to move out, the Durham court bailiffs will force you out once the owner reports you.
Squatters in Newton Aycliffe, Darlington, or Bishop Auckland are also called homeless because you cannot claim the right to own a place where you are living.
Applying as a homeless person contacting your local council in Darlington is the best thing you can do in this regard.
The Durham Council can direct you on how to get somewhere to stay in Darlington if you are homeless and single.
Emergency help may be given to you by the specialist services as an alternative in some areas in Durham.
In some situation, the council in Darlington may need to give you emergency shelter if you are deemed as a priority case (pregnant, with children, or in danger).
However, local council will not be able to assist you in emergency or long-term housing in case you are restricted with residency or immigration status such as asylum seekers in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, or Newton Aycliffe.
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