What are squatters’ rights?
Squatters do have rights, but they only apply if squatters have been in a property for a considerable amount of time.
Under the current legislation, squatters can apply to become the registered owner of property if they’ve lived there continuously for ten years. This only applies to properties that are registered with HM Land Registry. If the property isn’t registered, squatters need to have been there for 12 years instead.
It’s well worth knowing that this right can only be exercised if squatters never had permission to be on the property. So, tenants that refuse to leave cannot make a claim for possession.