Squatting and Prostitution.

Now there's an interesting topic for conversation.

As of 00:01 (Local) on 1/9/12 in Britain it has become a criminal offence (triable at a Magistrates, maximum sentence 6 months in prison + GBP5000/USD7500 fine) to squat in a residential property after the Conservative Party MP for Hove, Mike Weatherly made an unexpected amendment to the 2012 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (the Act) which has been enacted today. Really this is just a bi-lateral between Britain and the Netherlands. However during this Olympic season other nations may be interested because prior to this act squatting was treated rather like prostitution under UK law. That is to say that in the UK it is not a criminal offence to pay for sex or to be paid for sex. However it is a criminal offence to offer to pay for sex or to demand payment for sex (solicitation). Similarly under section 7 of the 1977 Criminal Act it was not illegal to squat in a residential property but if the property owner asks you to leave and you refuse that is a criminal offence triable at a Magistrates Court and punishable by a maximum of 6 months in prison and a GBP5000/USD7500 fine.

Therefore I think Weatherly's contribution is a perfect example of a useless law. However as long before the Act became law the police have been using it to arrest squatters in commercial properties which are not covered by the Act I'm sure it will be keeping lawyers and property developers in beer money for years to come.

01:25 on 1/9/12.