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The law on squatting - what squatting is, squatters' rights, removing squatters, getting your property back from squatters and adverse possession. Includes information from the withdrawn EX332 and EX333 guidance.

• Overview

  Squatting is when someone deliberately enters property without permission…

• Squatting in non-residential properties

  A non-residential property is any building or land that is not designed to…

• Squatters' rights to property

  A long-term squatter can become the registered owner of property or land…

• Stop squatters legally possessing property

  HM Land Registry will tell you if squatters apply for legal ownership of…

• Remove squatters

  You can remove squatters using an interim possession order (IPO) or making…

• Where to get help

  You may be classed as homeless if you’re squatting. Get advice from…

• Updated: 23 May 2018

We register the ownership of land and property in England and Wales. HM Land Registry is a non-ministerial department.

• Updated: 22 April 2025

Find a property and get its title plan, title register and see who owns it

Find out how much a property sold for in England or Wales

This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in April 2025.

• Updated: 22 May 2025

Get in touch with us or use a guide that may answer your question.

• Updated: 8 December 2025

This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in March 2025.

• Updated: 24 April 2025

This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in February 2025.

• Updated: 21 March 2025

• Updated: 19 July 2016