You can be easily evicted and arrested if you are a squatter in Swansea.
When you start living on a property in Swansea without the owner's permission, it will be considered as Squatting.
Worthy of mention is that squatting in Llanelli, Swansea/Abertawe, or Neath Abbey can only be considered as a last resort.
The chances are that you'd be evicted from the Swansea property and arrested if you're committing this offence.
However, you live in a property in West Glamorgan after your tenancy or license is expired then you cannot be termed as a squatter.
Squatting in Swansea within a residential premise is considered a crime.
You can get arrested and in case you get convicted, you might:
Get a prison sentence in Swansea for up to six months maximum
Required to pay £5,000 fine
You may not be arrested in West Glamorgan if you:
Remained in the rental property in Swansea after your license or tenancy ended
Entered the property in West Glamorgan believing that you were a tenant - for instance, if you were rented by a bogus letting agent, they had no right to it
Are a Traveller residing on an unauthorised land in Swansea
A squatter in Swansea can be easily evicted if:
West Glamorgan police don't carry out the arrest and leave you with a warning
Property owner in Swansea/Abertawe, Llanelli, or Neath Abbey does not want to involve police in the matter
It's commercial premises in Swansea you are living in
The landlord in Swansea has the power to go into the property to change the locks whilst you are not there.
If you or another squatter in in the premise in Swansea, the owner must usually get a West Glamorgan court order if you refuse to vacate.
It is illegal for the owner to threaten violence against you.
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 West Glamorgan.
The papers must bear defence form, place and court hearing date.
You can challenge the case to confirm you are not a squatter in Swansea.
You can do this by forwarding to court the defence form and be in attendance of court hearings in Swansea.
You will be ordered to quickly leave the property in Swansea by the court in West Glamorgan.
If you choose to remain on the property, the landowner is required to enlist the help of West Glamorgan court bailiffs to remove you from the property
As they do not have the right to be living where they are, squatters in Llanelli, Neath Abbey, or Swansea/Abertawe are considered as homeless.
Since you don't have somewhere to go to, it would be wise to apply to the local council in Swansea for help as a homeless person.
The local council in West Glamorgan will help you look for a place where you can stay in Swansea if you're single and homeless.
You may also receive emergency help from specialist services in some areas in West Glamorgan rather than sleeping outside.
The Swansea council may have to give you emergency residence if you are in priority need, such as being expectant, having children or are vulnerable.
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 Swansea/Abertawe, Llanelli, or Neath Abbey.
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