Having squatters in your property can be a nightmare.
It’s especially challenging if you want to sell.
So, can you sell your house with squatters still in it? And if so, how?
Read on to find out.
What are squatters?
Squatters are people living on property without any legal right to be there.
They might have a range of motivations for squatting and intentions for how long they plan to stay.
However, they are often opportunists with no clear plan beyond staying as long as possible.
One of homeowners’ (and buyers’) biggest issues from squatters is property damage. This could cost thousands to fix and even – in extreme cases – render a property derelict.
Squatting is against the law in the United Kingdom. The owner can take out a court order to remove squatters, which can be lengthy and challenging.
Squatting vs trespassing
Squatting and trespassing are different offences.
Trespassing is typically associated with temporarily entering land rather than property.
It is often considered a civil matter. But it can become a criminal matter in some circumstances.
For example, when trespassers enter property, they might be charged with aggravated trespassing or even burglary.
Although their actions begin with trespassing, squatters are different from trespassers. Their actions always come under criminal codes.
Can you sell a house with squatters?
Yes, it is possible to sell your house with squatters.
However, it isn’t easy, especially on the open market.
Also, the squatters should have been there for less than 10 years. Otherwise, once it goes above 10 years, ‘squatter’s rights’ may kick in.
In some cases, this could even give squatters the right to own the house.
Ways to sell a house with squatters
Sell to a cash buying company
Cash buying companies buy property with their own funds.
This makes them flexible in terms of time frames and property conditions. The downside for sellers is that they offer below market value in exchange for these.
Once an offer is accepted, cash buying companies generally provide the most certain property selling channel. In other words, they are less likely to pull out of sales than other buyers.
Sell to an individual investor
Investors often buy property to flip it. So, they will aim to buy the house, evict the squatters, and renovate it for a profit.
Sell at auction
Property auctions are a popular option for selling property in bad condition.
Potential buyers view the property before the auction and – if interested – bid for it on the day. This bidding process can drive up the price of a sale, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Sell privately to a friend
Selling privately to someone you know is an option for some sellers. The advantage of this is the trust you have in them.
However, the chances of knowing a suitable buyer at an appropriate time are slim.
How long does it take to sell a house with squatters?
This depends on what channel you use to sell the house.
Selling on the open market usually takes an average of 25 weeks for normal properties.
Property with squatters will likely take much longer to sell than this, unless marketed to the right buyers.
Cash buying companies are the fastest option. They can usually buy your property within weeks.
Individual investors often take 1 – 2 months, too. But this figure is heavily dependent on the status of their current project.
And auction houses also usually take 1 – 2 months, depending on when their next event is planned.
