As Movehut has previously reported, recent changes to the law have made squatting in residential property a criminal offence. However, the changes do not apply to commercial property and we forecast that this could lead to a rise in unoccupied business premises being targeted.
Now a community of squatters is occupying a former Chelsea rehab clinic and the residents of the neighbouring £3 million townhouses are far from happy. The squatters, who claim they have been priced out of the rental market, have taken over the old Charter Clinic which has been empty for five years.
The clinic hit the headlines in the 1990s when it was disclosed that the late Michael Jackson was being treated there. This led to the Charter being besieged by fans anxious to catch a glimpse of the pop superstar. Other celebrities to have sought help at the £300 a day addiction centre include Charlotte Rampling and Paula Hamilton.
King of Pop Michael Jackson was treated at the Charter Clinic in 1993
The squatters moved in two weeks ago forcing the leaseholders to launch legal action to evict them. Unlike in cases of squatting in unoccupied residential property, squatting in commercial property remains only a civil offence. This means landlords must follow a lengthy and potentially costly path in order to get them out.
Neighbours have complained about more and more squatters joining the original group in Radnor Walk, describing some of them as ‘unsightly characters.’ Hamish Scott who lives across the street from the clinic told the Evening Standard “I would rather they weren’t there.”
Another neighbour said; “I rent my house and it is upsetting to think we are paying an absolute fortune for a place and they are just there for nothing. I hope they get them out.”
The squatters have placed a notice in the window reminding neighbours that they are not breaking the law. Alongside it a poster warns of the legal consequences of attempted entry using violence or threatening behaviour. It is signed ‘the occupiers.’ One squatter said they just want ‘somewhere warm and dry for Christmas’ and insisted they are not causing a nuisance.
The Charter Clinic occupation comes only weeks after a nearby pub, the Cross Keys, was targeted by squatters. Some MPs are now calling on the government to amend the law so that squatters in commercial properties face the same penalties as those in residential properties.
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I supprot the squat. In fact, I attempted a physical posting yesterday.
In the letter I advised the squatters to link with local homeless groups as well as attending the local alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous.
Good to connect locally.
I also advised them to pull-up a protest concerning the problems faced by contrac workers who do repairs on homes. As a socially housed tenant it has been very visible to me that they are chasing times and making errors and that contract companies need to employ more workers so that contract workers can have proper breaks and not make mistakes that can be dangerous and also just means that they have to return to a job to correct it.
As well, I advised them to pull up a media protest concerning how if you work and have to access a contract worker to repair a boiler or another serious repair you get no paid leave.
This is a really good way to connnect up the protest and gain support.
Finally, many boilers in homes are dangerous and could be replaced with combined heat and power.