Squatter Eviction
Removing unlawful squatters or trespassers from land or buildings can be both urgent and distressing for property owners, and it is often important to act quickly.
The Landlord Group has a dedicated team experienced in dealing with unlawful occupation of property, helping landlords and property owners take the appropriate legal steps to recover possession as efficiently as possible.
In some cases, individuals occupying property without permission may attempt to rely on perceived legal rights or delay tactics. However, unlawful occupation remains just that — unlawful — and there are established legal procedures available to recover possession of the property.
Our role is to guide property owners through that process and ensure the correct steps are taken to secure the lawful return of the property.
Squatter Eviction – Squatters Standard Action
POA
In cases involving squatters or trespassers, we will discuss the circumstances of your situation and guide you through the appropriate legal process to recover possession of your property as quickly as possible.
We will manage every stage of the court claim, including preparation of the required court documentation, issuing the claim in the appropriate court, arranging service of the papers on the trespassers, and preparing the necessary witness statements in the correct format.
Where a court hearing is required, we can arrange for specialist legal representation to attend court on your behalf and present the case before the judge.
Acting quickly is often critical when dealing with unlawful occupation of property.
Squatter Eviction – Interim Possession Orders
POA
In cases involving squatters or trespassers, it may be possible to apply to the court for an Interim Possession Order (IPO).
An Interim Possession Order is an ultra-fast track court procedure that can require unlawful occupiers to leave the property within 24 hours of the order being served.
Because this procedure is designed to deal with recent trespass or recent squatting, it is often important to act quickly once the unlawful occupation has been discovered.
Once an IPO has been served, it can become a criminal offence for a trespasser to remain in the property or return to it while the order is in force.
After the interim order is made, the court will list a further hearing to determine whether a final possession order should be granted.
Where appropriate, this procedure can be a highly effective way of recovering possession of property from squatters in a short period of time.
However, the rules governing Interim Possession Orders are strict and technical, and the procedure is not suitable for every trespass situation. For this reason, we recommend discussing your circumstances with us so that we can determine whether an IPO is the appropriate course of action.
