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Unauthorised occupation

Unauthorised occupation is the unlawful occupation of a property without the landlord’s permission. An unauthorised occupier is therefore someone who occupies a property with no lawful right to do so.

Examples of unauthorised occupation

  • The Lawful occupier (the tenant) may give someone permission to occupy the property, for example a lodger or subtenant, without the landlord’s permission.

  • A family member who remains in a property after the tenant’s death with no succession rights would also be an unauthorised occupier.

  • A person who may take an unlawful assignment of a property (for example an illegal exchange between two parties, or a signing over of a tenancy to another without seeking the required landlord permissions.

  • Squatting is a further and particular type of unauthorised occupation. A squatter is someone who occupies a property without first obtaining permission to do so from either the landlord or the tenant.

How to report any concerns regarding a Council property being illegally occupied

You can submit a report via your MyStAlbans account