Squatters in your property? Get the right route out, fast
The right route out, fast, and the property secured afterwards.
- Keeping landlords safe since 1990
- Wimbledon office, 45 Quicks Road
- Every step checked by a person
- Fixed price, shown before you pay
Why it matters
The route depends on the building. Squatting in a residential building in England is a criminal offence, so the police can act. In commercial or other non-residential property it is usually a civil matter, and speed matters for the fastest court route. Acting the wrong way can make it worse: forcing entry while someone inside objects can itself be an offence. We review your situation urgently and tell you exactly what to do.
What you get
- Urgent review of your situation and the type of property
- The right route: police report, interim possession order or possession claim
- A checklist of evidence to gather, such as ownership, dates and photos
- A plan for securing the property once it is empty
- A written action plan, with a quote for any follow-on work
Not included
- Court proceedings or legal representation. We refer these to a solicitor where needed
How it works
- 1
Pay and tell us what's happened
Where, when you found out, and what you've seen.
- 2
We call you back
We review the case as a priority and talk it through with you.
- 3
You get a written plan
The right route, the evidence and the next steps, in order.
- 4
We help secure it
Once the property is empty, we help you secure it, quoted first.
Common questions
Is squatting illegal?
Squatting in a residential building in England has been a criminal offence since 2012. In non-residential property, squatting is not in itself a crime, but other offences such as criminal damage may apply, and you can recover possession through the civil courts.
Can I just change the locks or force my way in?
Be careful. Using or threatening violence to get in while someone inside objects can be an offence. Get advice on the right route first.
My former tenant won't leave. Are they a squatter?
Usually not. A tenant who stays on after their tenancy is not a squatter, and the possession process applies instead. See our eviction notice service.
Do I need to use Rentals and Sales as my letting agent?
No. These are standalone, fixed-fee services for self-managing landlords. You keep managing your property and we do the one job you have paid for.
Which properties do you cover?
Residential lets in England. We are based in Wimbledon and most of our work is in south-west London, but paperwork-based services can be delivered for properties elsewhere in England.
General information for residential lettings in England, not legal advice. Rules depend on the tenancy and can change. Check current government guidance.