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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Squatters

Hello

 

Overnight the house next door was broken into by squatters. They have put a notice in the window to the effect that they have a legal right to stay there and it looks like they have changed the locks.

Now I don't want to get all Daily Mail, kneejerk-reaction about this - I know that there are valid moral and political arguments in favour of squatting and I know that some squatters can be very good neighbours.

But it is making me a bit nervous. Should I do anything about it? Do I tell the police, or the council, or should I try to contact the owner?

 

Thanks!

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Replies to This Discussion

Peter LeeversPermalink Reply by Peter Leevers on January 28, 2011 at 11:50
From my Dorset kitchen! Jackie and I squatted for a while in '87, before the market crashed, and I was very involved in the big squats on Stepney in '72-5. I think we're in for another such period, lots of empty buy-to-let's, silly house prices and few jobs for new graduates. People who see the law getting in the way of meeting their basic needs get radicalised. So stand by for some new politics!
Permalink Reply by Sapphireblue on January 28, 2011 at 12:59
I was told last week that the old vacant for a long time dentist annexe across the road in our small cul-de-sac is now occupied by squatters. Saw 2 guys trying the door last week. Apart from that zilch. A friend of mine years ago went into squat with 2 kids as her soon to be ex abusive husband would not leave family home. So depends....
sTuPermalink Reply by sTu on January 28, 2011 at 13:04
It was me, I can't afford rent anymore with all these bloody PCNs ;)
Permalink Reply by Tim on January 28, 2011 at 13:22

Dan,

 

I got your details from Jono. The address has indeed been occupied by squatters who are utilising their 'squatters rights'. I have personally checked the address and have no power to remove them due to their being no visible evidence of criminal damage etc etc.

I have spoken to the landlady this morning who is aware of the issue and has indeed already instructed solicitors to obtain a full possession order through the county court and as soon as this is issued, we will assist in the execution of the eviction.

 

Many Thanks

 

Sergeant Tim Hannah St Anns SNT 

lillai23Permalink Reply by lillai23 on February 22, 2011 at 20:02

Having once been a squatter in the 90's & fully understanding the housing crisis today I would also say talk to your squatter neighbours,you may be pleasantly surprised. Better a home occupied by decent people than left empty & people left homeless. If they are nice then you shouldn't have any problem. As other have said you'll soon discover if they are decent or not & can work from there.

I am now a tenant & have had squatters as neighbours myself, they have been no problem & we even looked after some of their belongings when they were suddenly evicted early one morning. It's disgraceful how many landlords will happily leave a building empty with no plans for it whatsoever but the minute squatters move in they decide they want something done with it after all. All buildings we ever squatted had been left empty for some years,evident by the old post & papers inside. Some buildings are owned by people who don't even live in this country. I thought that the councils were meant to take control of buildings left empty for 6 months or more. It's a scandal when there are record number of homeless, either hidden on sofas & temporary accomodation or on the streets. This will only get worse as the cuts hit.

Permalink Reply by pamish on February 23, 2011 at 15:35

No, your options, as well as commercial rental, would include getting friends who need it to move in. You could even forego the rent in exchange for them doing basic maintenance, instead of worrying about slipping roof tiles and unsavoury guests etc from your distant eyrie. If you were away for two years, you obviously would have taken your everyday possessions with you. 

 

An empty house is a sin. Thassall.

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 23, 2011 at 21:30

No they don't deserve to have them broken into, but they do deserve to have them occupied.

 

I agree with Pamish.

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 24, 2011 at 9:47
Property is a scarce resource. It doesn't take much effort to think about it in the terms you just did. In fact, I don't think it takes any effort at all. Why did you just assume Pamish and I were quoting dogma from some parental hand-me-downs and not give us the benefit of the doubt and have a bit of a think about it yourself?
Permalink Reply by Danzigger on February 24, 2011 at 10:07
Update:

The squatters have been moved on. It took a couple of weeks for the landlord to get the necessary court order, but once it was served the squatters left without any bother within 24 hrs.

While they were there they were perfectly pleasant. I only saw them a couple of times but they were friendly enough, quiet and tidy. Seems they had put quite a bit of effort into making the place look nice inside. To be honest they were better neighbours than the family who had lived there previously.

This incident has prompted the owner to finally spend some money on the place and do it up nicely. I was chatting to the builders this morning and they are gutting the place right down to the brickwork; new kitchen, bathroom, windows etc. all high spec. It's being done up as a family home rather than flats.
Permalink Reply by pamish on February 24, 2011 at 12:49
yippee.

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