Squatting in an abandonded house for the last 7 years.

dazo_2

Hi folks, I am nearly 22 and I have been squatting in a house for the last 7 years. Due to personal reasons 7 years ago, it was too much at home and I decided to leave, however I moved back and forward from my nan's house to the house where I am staying so it's never been vacant I've always been there just moved back and forward from my nan's house to 'freshen up and clean clothes.' I lived there for 5 out the 7 years with a chap who looked after me, sadly he passed away so it's only me,

The house is boarded up and the front and the back due to people targetting the house (chavs) but I have put a new door in which I have the keys to it. I haven't had much money to fix the place up and I've only been able to lawn the grass garden and fix up the front lawn here and then but people been dumping here all the time.

I have contacted the council but they are not intrested, and also a housing association who I believe own the property but have deserted it - claiming it is not there's. The reason why I am saying I believe it is the housing assoication is because my nan lives in a grove with 11 houses, 1 - 11, the 11 houses are called The Grove, so 1 The grove, 2 the Grove and so on the abandonded boarded up house is called 12 the Grove and it's just opposite my nan's house from the garden, which has no other properties attached to it.

I guess the senible thing would be to check the land registry to see who owns it? I am 100% confident the housing assocation owns it and have simply forgotten about/deserted the property. I will pay to see who's owns the deeds but I'm scared of contacting them and remove me from the property.

I would like to make a claim to the house and finish fixing it up since the house has been boarded up and deserted for the past 7 years which is attracted rats/mice. The house is only 25 - 30 years old, and will need roughly 10 - 15k to fix it up and get up and running with gutting and ripping everything out.

It is a 3 bed and houses usually go around this area anywhere from 70k - 130k

In three years time can I make a claim for the property? Which will bring it up to 10 years of living in the property?

Many thanks

pmlindyloo

You need to read this.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/homeless_and_on_the_streets/squatting

Ozzuk

I wouldn't spend any money/effort doing anything to the property, it's not yours and won't be unless you buy it. I can't see them just giving it to you , and as referenced above there is no legal basis for taking possession.

beecher2

You need to research 'adverse possession'.
You should read this
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/professional/guides/practice-guide-4

dazo_2

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You need to read this.

I've had a read, what I am most worried about is getting a criminal conviction, won't it even make a difference if I lived in there 7 years before the september 2012 law past where squatting on a residental propety is a criminnal offence.

Perhaps I could carry on and taking a risk and if worse case scenario happens convicted/fine/thrownout and lose my case, appeal to the top courts? Other cases have been won in similar cases...

3 more years and I can apply for the property which I believe it will sit there for another 3 years without a doubt.

I could I guess find out who owns the property and make them an offer? but they might reject selling it or want unrealistic sums for it....

I guess l should seek legal advice.

jackyann

Read the article referenced above, then talk to Shelter. Don't do anything without good advice.
And do make sure you look after yourself, it sounds as if you are in quite a vulnerable position. well done for making an effort to get out of it, but make sure of the best way before doing anything permanent.

dimbo61

For £3 you can download the Land Registry title documents for the property.
Then you will know who it belongs to

Confusedandneedhelp

Why do u think u should get a free, 3 bed house? Just curious as to the logic

dazo_2

jackyann wrote: »

Read the article referenced above, then talk to Shelter. Don't do anything without good advice.
And do make sure you look after yourself, it sounds as if you are in quite a vulnerable position. well done for making an effort to get out of it, but make sure of the best way before doing anything permanent.

Many thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

I have just paid £3 to see who owns it and it seems like the council does.

Registered Owner(s) Coventry City Council

However I am a bit confused as it also says a bit further down it mentions the housing assocation where my nan lives in:

A: Property Register
This register describes the land and estate comprised in the title.
WEST MIDLANDS : Coventry


The land has the benefit of the following rights reserved by a Transfer of the land edged and numbered WMxxxxx in green on the filed plan and other land dated 12 june 198x made between (1) Coventry City Council (Council) and (2) xxxx Housing Association Limited:-

However the housing assoication is not listed as one of the registered owners?

Does this make things a bit easier if it's the councils and I stay in there for a few more years? Should I approach them, how should i approach them? I don't mind buying it off them/coming to an arrangement to fix it up if everything is reasonable.

Property is also freehold instead of leasehold any major differences?

beecher2

If you apply for adverse possession, the council will be informed and will give counter notice, and will almost certainly win.

If you have enough money to buy the property, then I think you should look at alternative houses.,

oystercatcher

I'm guessing it was missed when property was transferred from council to HA.

If it's fully functional and acceptable why not just stay there quietly as long as possible. Personally if I could afford it I would open a seperate account and pay in 'rent' payments monthly, let them build up and then you'll have a nice nest egg ready for if trouble ever does start . You can decide then what might be the best plan of action depending on situation at the time.