Thankfully, I’ve not experienced squatters as yet. It’s only really likely if the property has remained empty for a while or has been abandoned. Luckily the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 made the activity a criminal offense.
If your property is secure and somebody breaks into it and takes up occupation, then this is not squatting, but trespass. The police have powers to remove trespassers immediately as long as you act quickly. The vital thing is that, if you do act; evidence of forced entry is required.
How long should I grant an assured shorthold tenancy agreement for?
It’s possible to grant an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) for a fixed period, say 6 months. These tenancies are referred to as Fixed Term Tenancy’s. At the end of the term if the tenancy is not renewed, it then becomes a Statutory Periodic AST. The terms of the original tenancy agreement still apply, but the tenancy continues on a period by period basis. For instance, if the agreement required rent to be paid monthly, then a monthly Statutory Periodic Tenancy would result. The other type is called a Contractual Periodic Tenancy where no term for the end of the let is set and the tenancy agreement simply continues until either party decide to bring it to an end.
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The Length Of A Tenancy Agreement And How It Effects The Status Of A Tenancy - Rights Of Uk Landlord
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