Dealing with squatters

Squatting is when someone enters a property without permission and resides there, or intends to reside there, as a trespasser.

Squatting in residential buildings is illegal. It can lead to 6 months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both.

How to report a concern around squatting to Anchor

You can report squatting to us in several ways: 

• Location Manager: You can report your concerns to your Location Manager in person, over the phone, by email, or by letter. 
• Email: Send an email to [email protected] with "ASB" in the subject line. Your report will be assessed by the Customer Experience Hub and forwarded to the most appropriate member of staff. 
• Phone: Call the Customer Experience Hub on 0800 731 2020 or out of hours call 0300 123 7101 to speak to Anchor on Call.

What will Anchor do following a report of squatting?

We will take prompt action when squatters are discovered. Your local manager will carry out an investigation to find out about the potential squatters and on discovery, if it is safe to do so, ask them to leave. If they refuse or it is unsafe to make contact with them, the local manager will report it to the police.

Prompt action is important as once squatters are discovered Anchor has 28 days to apply for an Interim Possession Order which requires a squatter to leave within 24 hours. After 28 days Possession Proceedings will commence.