what do you think of this Judge

[emmie]

who has asked a London council to disclose a list of all it's empty properties.
squatters heaven perhaps?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...gland-london-14809904

[katiecarol]

is it not more to shame councils into giving homes standing empty to the homeless? squatters heaven yes maybe but also makes them stop and think about allocation and doing it rather than leaving empty and moaning. they would learn the hard way?

[emmie]

I understand what you say, and i have long wondered why many homes are left empty, when the council could rent them out for a peppercorn rent to start with, the proviso being the tenants do them up. Then you charge a fair rent. But i don't believe the council should be hauled up and made to hand over this information.

[modeller]

Are we talking about properties owned by the council or all properties including those privately owned. If the latter then I think the judge is wrong . If I leave my home for several months why should that be made public ?
However should I leave it for years then maybe morally I should not enjoy an unoccupied community charge when so many people are homeless.

What is meant by empty ? I know it seems a silly question but many properties occupied by squatters in recent years were in fact furnished.

[katiecarol]

perhaps the judge is frustrated and taking a risk move. i mean some people cant see something right in their faces, maybe this council dont. im in homeless accom after a split with partner perhaps i can put my services as a squatter prevention service in one of their homes.

[emmie]

modeller, i think its easier to read the BBC link, as i am not 100 percent sure.

[emmie]

There was an awful case of a couple who came home to find squatters had moved in to their home, this is recently. The wife is expecting and not far off from giving birth. The husband who is a surgeon, was on the news earlier, and said he was as angry and upset, who wouldn't be. I am not sure of the outcome as yet, but how can this be right.

[modeller]

I've re-read it and yes it does include private property.

I hope the judge goes on holiday and finds his home occupied when he comes home.
As was stated squatting is not an offence only unlawful entry . They only have to say a window/door was not locked and they can't be prosecuted .

[Old_Geezer]

To make public such a list is morally wrong, and should not be legal to enforce. So no doubt the law is such that it'll be legally ok then.

Seems to me that a person's right to privacy of privileged information on them and their property trumps any freedom of information requirement, but no doubt since that is morally so, no doubt the opposite will prove to be the case.

At least it seems they are not divulging individual owned property. But even so, IMO this is a clear case of overstepping the mark and interfering where no interference should be.

"She also emphasised the fact that squatting "is not illegal"." Which is about as big an admission on the failure of that area of law as one can get.

[emmie]

OG that last line sums it up, not illegal, i hope the council fight this and win.

[Gladeian]

In my opinion squatting should be made a criminal offence - isnt this what the government had in the manifesto - what right does anyone have to move into property owned by another and take up residence without paying a penny to the owner let alone council tax ? Can anyone justify what in effect is theft ?

[emmie]

gladeian i believe that was in the pipeline, isn't Ken Clarke supposed to be putting it forward.

[modeller]

If Ken Clarke is involved then anyone known to be squatting, will be given a property of equivalent value.

[emmie]

Modeller, i heard something about this on the radio, but no follow up story.
I would hope at best the courts can sort out squatters who invade people's homes, when they step out for two minutes. Those who take over empty properties i have a small degree of sympathy for, but its still wrong.