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Illegal squatting and trespassing of residential property and commercial premises is becoming a significant issue for landlords. London Bailiff Services are dedicated to assisting landlords and property agents in evicting illegal occupants swiftly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Squatting is not just illegal occupation of a property, it can result in substantial financial loss. Removal of squatters should be an immediate priority.
London Bailiff Services deal with squatter eviction cases across all London Boroughs. Our extensive experience base and expertise in this field enable us to efficiently manage what can often be delicate and complex situations.
In the majority of cases, the eviction of squatters requires the issue of proceedings in the county court to obtain a possession order. Our team of specialist partnership lawyers will prepare and submit all court documents and represent you at the hearing. Once this judgement is awarded, it may be immediately transferred to the High Court for enforcement. Our agents can then remove the squatters under the authority of the sealed writ.
However, there are sometimes limited instances where we can evict squatters without the need for protracted court proceedings. This method is carried out under common law and is contingent on a number of factors and is not always viable. However, London Bailiff Services will take advantage of this common law solution wherever possible, saving you time and legal costs.
London Bailiff Services have compiled a list of frequently asked questions along with answers regarding our Squatter Eviction Services.
Squatting is when someone occupies a property without the owner’s permission, often without his knowledge and without any normal legal right to do so. An over staying tenant cannot be regarded as a squatter. If an occupier has no ownership documents, no lease or tenancy agreement, no record of having paid rent to a landlord, or no other evidence of a right of occupancy then the occupier is a squatter.
Squatters do have some rights. Squatters in commercial premises cannot be legally evicted from without an application to court, a court possession order being granted, and subsequent writ or warrant obtained. In certain limited situations where the premises are entered peacefully by the owner they may be persuaded to leave under common law.
Your presence at the court hearing is not compulsory and depends entirely on you. If you opt not to attend, we’ll discuss your alternatives with you. Rest assured, a dedicated lawyer will be presenting your case to the court on your behalf.
Should you choose to attend, and we highly encourage it. We’ll provide you with the details of your assigned advocate and the court hearing arrangements. Remember, by instructing London Bailiff Services, our partner solicitors will handle all legal proceedings on your behalf and our enforcement team are ready to act as soon as the court order allows.
While it’s uncommon for squatters to appear in court, if they do, it is typically to stall the process by claiming to be legitimate tenants, or defending their occupancy on a point of law. Our specialized lawyers will counter their legal arguments to secure a possession order. If the court defers the decision, we’re still on hand to continue the fight at your request. Our lawyers expertise lies in handling cases where squatters contest claims.
The court order specifies the deadline for the squatter or trespasser to vacate the premises. At London Bailiff Services, we advocate for Possession Forthwith, in other words immediate possession. Should the Squatters fail to comply, we can move to the eviction stage immediately.
What happens on eviction day?
Having obtained a High Court Writ our enforcement team will coordinate the eviction and any post eviction services you may require. You’ll receive notification of the date and time, but we recommend meeting at the property only after we have declared it safe to do so.
If you find yourself facing squatters and would like to explore the best options available for your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We understand the urgency and complex issues that can surround squatter occupations and are ready to offer you our expertise and guidance.
If you need to remove squatters from your land and property, prompt action is critical, London Bailiff Services can swiftly and legally resolve these challenging situations.
This is sufficient authority for London Bailiff Services and its Agents to attend, serve notice and evict trespassers, their goods and chattels including vehicles on our land and in doing so, this shall be sufficient indemnification against all actions at law, as well as against all fees, costs, charges or expenses which they may incur or be liable to pay by reason of executing this instruction.
