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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To NOT report the squatters?

26 replies

Memoo · 22/04/2012 14:12

The house at the back of us is owned by the council and has been empty for the past year.

About 2 months ago we began so see signs of life but it eventually became apparent that the people there were squatting. Most of our neighbours are aware of them but nobody seems particularly concerned.

My parents are adamant that we should report them. I'm adamant that I shouldn't.

Aibu? Naive maybe?

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 22/04/2012 14:18

How is it affecting your life? If it isnt, then I would just leave them be...

Hebiegebies · 22/04/2012 14:19

Leave them too it if you are safe

EdithWeston · 22/04/2012 14:22

It depends.

Do you generally support the idea that council houses should be allocated as fairly as possible in regard to the needs of those who have no home (o no adequate home)? If so, report.

If you think that opportunists should be able to take a property out of the social housing stock, then let them be.

Original poster
Memoo · 22/04/2012 14:22

That's what I think too. They're causing no problem to anyone at all. You'd hardly know they were there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Memoo · 22/04/2012 14:25

The thing is the council haven't been near this house for a good year. Its fallen in to quite a state of disrepair. If the squatters weren't there it would just be lying empty so they aren't taking anything off anyone.

OP posts:
Noqontrol · 22/04/2012 14:28

I'd leave them too it, better someone lives there than it remains empty and falls into further disrepair.

EdithWeston · 22/04/2012 14:35

They're taking a house out of the social housing stock.

The council are at fault because they have not reallocated it promptly, but if reported then it can be repaired and someone can leave the housing waiting list.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 22/04/2012 14:40

If it was a privately owned house, I would definitely say you should report. But if it's council and the council have done nothing with it for a year, then it's not taking anything away from anyone else. And if they are squatting, then they probably need the house as much as anyone else anyway.

theincredibequeenofwands · 22/04/2012 14:47

I agree that they need the house.

Council houses are for people on low incomes/who are homeless. These guys seem to fall into that category.

And if the council haven't touched it for two years then they're probably not interested in it anyway.

UpperFuckingCrusty · 22/04/2012 14:54

If they are squatting an abandoned council house, I reckon they need it.

Can't imagine they'd be there if they had anywhere else Hmm and so I'd let them get on with it.

Maybe they are on the waiting list, anyway.

emsyj · 22/04/2012 14:55

Hmmm dunno - my feeling tends to be that if they are just living there and not causing damage then it's better for the property to be occupied - but if they are damaging council property then that is money coming out of your tax bill and they should be reported (although really the council should be keeping an eye on empty properties themselves - suppose they haven't got eyes in the back of their head tho...)

Original poster
Memoo · 22/04/2012 16:16

They aren't damaging it at all. In fact they've cleared the garden which was overgrown.

I live in a crap area. To be squatting here they must be desperate.

It makes me rather sad to be honest that people have to resort to such measures. I see their candle burning in the back bedroom window sill at night. What a crappy way to live.

OP posts:
ripsishere · 22/04/2012 16:23

I agree with those who said leave them to it.
Made me a bit Sad when I heard about the candle TBH.

MrsKittyFane · 22/04/2012 16:40

Are you sure they are squatters? I wouldn't put it past a housing scheme to rent out a dump!

MrsKittyFane · 22/04/2012 16:47

My opinion on 'career' squatters who break into private homes left empty / trash them is Angry
The people you describe haven't chosen an empty 900k townhouse in Kensington have they? Let the council find out for themselves. :(
yes a sad and crap way to live.

EdithWeston · 22/04/2012 16:51

The people at the top of the council housing queue might also be desperate for a proper home.

And if the council can forget one of its properties, how many others? Which is more likely to get them to take better care of their (scare) housing stock? Reporting (and making a 'name and shame' fuss), or just leaving it?

CuttedUpPear · 22/04/2012 16:54

Leave them.
No...
Make friends with them!

They aren't taking a house out of council stock because they aren't renting it. So officially it is still available.

blubberyboo · 22/04/2012 17:05

yes when the council decides to allocate it it will become apparent there are squatters so they can deal with it then

if you report it now they will take them to court which will be costly to the taxpayer anyway. by the time the council goes near the house the squatters may have moved on. there are derelict houses in my area which have lay empty for over 15 years. there is presently a cat and her litter of kittens squatting in them.

izzyizin · 22/04/2012 18:13

Tell your dps to stfu you've reported the squatters to the council in case they do so and go make friends with your new neighbours.

2shoes · 22/04/2012 18:14

yabu I would report them as I think squatters are parasites

CuttedUpPear · 22/04/2012 18:53

I've been a squatter in the past. Nice to meet you.

CuttedUpPear · 22/04/2012 19:11

And several of my friends squat too, their houses are well looked after and are family homes for them.
One of the groups of squatters know the owner, she's a little old lady who comes for tea with them sometimes. She lives in sheltered accommodation now and is glad that her old house is lived in as she didn't want to sell it.

Parasites, the lot of 'em.

Original poster
Memoo · 22/04/2012 19:12

Parasites? Im sure people don't want to have to go and squat in a near derelict house. They must be desperate. It's a sad indication of the way our society is today.
Apparently there are thousands of properties, council and private, that are lying empty and yet their are so many people homeless or on housing waiting lists. It's madness.
I know we hear the odd case in the papers of fectless squatters who break in to homes and trash them but I'm sure there are just as many squatters who just want somewhere dry to sleep st night.

It's really very sad.

I will try and make friends with them although I don't see them that often as they seem to try and be as inconspicuous as possible. They must be scared of being thrown out.

OP posts:
TheMonster · 22/04/2012 19:15

I would leave them be if they are not causing a problem.

When I was a teenager, my family squatted for a while (you would never has guessed looking at us - we were a respectable family and my brother and I went to good schools). Sometimes people are forced to do something they would otherwise never dream of.

Rubirosa · 22/04/2012 19:16

It's disgusting that houses can be left empty while people are homeless (that goes for everyone with holiday homes as well as the council!).

Better that this house is actually housing people. If the council decide to do something with it then they will be able to evict them pretty quickly.