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SQUATTING AND THE LAW Skip contents CONTENTS * Overview * Squatting in non-residential properties * Squatters' rights to property * Stop squatters legally possessing property * Remove
squatters * Where to get help SQUATTERS' RIGHTS TO PROPERTY A long-term squatter can become the registered owner of property or land they’ve occupied without the owner’s permission. Get
legal advice from a conveyancer or solicitor if you’re a squatter in a property and want to claim ownership. WHO CAN APPLY You can apply if you can prove: * you, or a succession of
squatters, have occupied the property continuously for 10 years (12 years if it’s not registered with HM Land Registry) * you (or your predecessors) acted as owners of the property for the
whole of that time * you (or any of your predecessors) did not have the owner’s permission, for example the property was not originally rented to a squatter IF THE PROPERTY’S REGISTERED Fill
in a form for adverse possession. Complete and sign a written ‘statement of truth’, or get a solicitor to prepare this for you. Send your form and statement to the HM Land Registry Citizen
Centre. HM Land Registry Citizen Centre PO Box 7806 Bilston WV1 9QR HM Land Registry will decide if your application is valid and will let the property owner know. The owner has 65 days to
object - your application will usually be automatically rejected if they do. You’ll be registered as the owner of the property if there’s no objection. You can apply again after 2 years if:
* the owner has not tried to remove you * the property has not been reclaimed * you’re still in possession of the property HM Land Registry will usually then register you as the owner. IF
THE PROPERTY’S UNREGISTERED Complete and sign a written ‘statement of truth’, or get a solicitor to prepare this for you. Apply for first registration - include your statement with your
application. HM Land Registry will: * inspect the property - you must pay a fee for this * decide if your application is valid * let the property owner know, if they have their details You
can try to come to an agreement with the owners if they object. HM Land Registry will arrange a tribunal to decide who owns the property if you cannot agree or do not want to. You may have
to pay the costs of the owner, such as their reasonable legal fees, no matter what the outcome. Previous : Squatting in non-residential properties Next : Stop squatters legally possessing
property View a printable version of the whole guide