Removing squatters

Early last year I purchased a property for development purposes. My idea was to demo and sub the land into 2 * 400sqm. Since it was my first time doing this, it took a lot longer than I expected getting all the planning and approvals in Melbourne. Finally they came through and everything was aligning.

Although I check up on the property fortnightly, and it is locked up securely, somehow pesky squatters have taken over the dwelling. They even connected the gas and electricity (in my name). I called the police, but they couldn't help. I have a demo crew booked in for next week to flatten the structure. Has everyone dealt with this situation before and know the process?

 

Do you know the squatters? So they only moved in the last 2 weeks?

pinkboy

 

Why cant the police help? They are trespassing

 

Homelessness | Victoria Legal Aid

 

We usually call the police they take care of it.

 

They'll move on when the excavator shows up.

 

Re. Connecting the electricity - how did the squatters know your name?

 

I'm surprised the police wouldn't try and help out. Tenant's that have overstayed their welcome is one thing but outright squatters is another!

The electricity is in your name...disconnect it?

 

Wow. Ive never heard of this actually happening to anybody before. Surely the police can assist? What state, city and suburb is this in?

 

"Living in a vacant house or building without the owner's permission and without paying any form of rent is called ‘squatting’. Squatting is not against the law, but the police can charge you for being in a building or on land without the owner’s permission (trespassing)."

"If you have occupied a property as a squatter for 15 years you are entitled to have your name entered on the land title, unless the land is owned by the government. This means that legally you own the land. You need to be able to prove your period of possession."

This is ridiculous. But insightful at the same time.

 

Yes so bacically there is know offence called “squatting” but there is for tresspassing. Which this seams to fit.

If you want to read something rediculiouse that will make you angry about squatters:

CITY IS OURS | Melbourne Squatters Guide

 

It's true however once you know you have a squatter(s) then it's quite simple.
The owner makes a statement to police that the squatter does not have permission to be there then they can be charged with trespass.
We have had squatters (multiples) and signed a statement to police that we were the only ones with permission to be there, ie every single other person was therefore a trespasser and the police had the power to move them on or charge them. Generally ours were moved on with a warning as they were homeless people.

 

Vic Police and others are reluctant to get involved as they dont like to enforce trespass with homeless. They should be encouraging them however.

 

If you have a demo booked for next week you should have had the services abolished by now and they wouldn't have been able to connect them. How were you going to demolish with services still connected?

Tools

 

A small update. I waited until they left the house this morning, most likely for their barista shifts. I had brought a spare garden hose and sprinkler head from home. I borrowed the next door neighbours front tap and threw the sprinkler into the front two rooms through the windows. And let the tap run for a few minutes. I then dragged the hose as far as I could through the house. Even through it was my house, I was scared.

 

My mistake. The gas has been discounted, but the electricity won't be cut until Wednesday.

 

So you flooded the house?

Sorry I'm just trying to understand what you were attempting to do.

Won't they return and just wait for the place to dry out? I doubt they'd care much about their belongings getting wet... if they had much to begin with.

 

lol....you have to be a troll.....surely.

 

How bizarre.

 

This thread went from entertaining to straight up bizarre!!!!