Squatters in St Helens are always at the risk of eviction and arrest.
Unlawful entry into a property in St Helens and staying there without consent from the owner is called squatting.
Squatting is often the last option someone in Haydock, Billinge, or Prescot has when they are homeless.
It isn't an option that is long-term for the homeless, and you will possibly be arrested and almost certainly be removed in St Helens.
If you remain on a property in Merseyside after the expiration of your license or tenancy, you will not be regarded as a squatter.
Squatting in a residential property in St Helens is a criminal act.
So, you can get arrested and you may face:
Sent for up to six months in prison in St Helens
Levy you for up to £5,000
However, you can avoid the arrest in Merseyside if:
Staying on a property in St Helens after your license or tenancy ended
You got deceived by a fraud rental agent and you actually thought you are a tenant in the property in Merseyside
Living on an unauthorized site in St Helens as a traveller or gypsy
Squatters in St Helens may be removed if:
The Merseyside police seem unwilling to arrest the squatter
The landowner in Billinge, Prescot, or Haydock has no interest in seeking the assistance of the police
You are living in commercial premises in St Helens
The landlord in St Helens may choose to change the locks while everyone is away.
If you or another squatter are in the property in St Helens, if you refuse to leave, the owner will normally have to get a court order in Merseyside.
It is illegal for the owner of the premises to make threats or use violence.
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 Merseyside.
Remember defence forms and court hearing date and time must be included in this copy.
You may challenge the landlord's case if you are not squatting in the property in St Helens.
You can do this by replying through the defence form to the court and go to the court hearing in St Helens.
In case you're indeed a squatter, you will be ordered to vacate the St Helens property right away by the court in Merseyside.
If you don't vacate the property, bailiffs from the court in Merseyside may evict you on the owner's order.
As they do not have the right to be living where they are, squatters in Prescot, Haydock, or Billinge are considered as homeless.
Applying as a homeless person contacting your local council in St Helens is the best thing you can do in this regard.
The Merseyside council should be able to give you advice on where you can find a place to live in St Helens if you're homeless and single.
Some areas in Merseyside offer an emergency service to homeless people to give them an option instead of squatting.
If you're in dire priority need such as have kids or pregnant, the council in St Helens may help you with emergency housing.
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 Billinge, Prescot, or Haydock or a "no recourse to public funds" status.
Based in St Helens, working nationwide
Find Out More
If you would like to find out more about the bespoke security services we provide here at Denbigh Franks, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.