Pressure is mounting on Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to outlaw squatting in commercial property. Last year squatting in residential property was made a criminal offence and the industry has been calling for the law to be brought into line to cover commercial premises ever since.
Former minister Tessa Jowell has called for an extension of the law
Now three senior Labour Party figures have followed their Conservative counterparts in urging Mr Grayling to amend the legislation following a sharp rise in incidences of squatting in shops, offices and other non-residential property.
Former Minister for the Olympics, Tessa Jowell, along with shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna and the leader of Lambeth Council, Lib Peck, have written a joint letter to Mr Grayling asking him to take action.
The letter said; “The change in the law last year to criminalise squatting in residential properties has brought welcome relief to homeowners in Lambeth.
“Unfortunately, the problem of squatters for commercial property owners has since worsened, and Lambeth has seen an increase in the number of squatters now specifically targeting non-residential buildings. Extending the law to protect businesses would be a welcome move.”
The letter goes on to highlight two recent cases of squatting in Lambeth. In the first, developers were left with a £100,000 bill after the Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Support Group was required to remove squatters. During the course of this occupation there was an alleged rape, incidents of violent assault and an attempted suicide. The building’s assets were also stripped.
In the second case highlighted in the letter, a former sheltered housing centre was occupied by squatters for over two years before they were finally removed in May. This incident cost the landlord £150,000 in security and eviction costs.
Mr Grayling, who recently announced proposals for a specialist planning court to speed up property development, is understood to be sympathetic to the problem.
Justice Minister Damian Green said; “We are aware of reports that the offence of squatting in a residential building might be encouraging squatters to occupy non-residential buildings. We are monitoring this situation closely.”
Squatting in residential properties carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail, a £5,000 fine, or both.
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