SQUATTERS HAVE MOVED INTO OUR PROPERTY... EP 1

Рет қаралды 8,967

Жыл бұрын

After waiting 6 months for planning permission to be granted, in January we discovered that we have had squatters move into our vacant care home, further delaying us from starting our refurbishment project. The squatters left us a letter on the door of our property claiming their squatters rights, changed the locks to our gate and had been living there for over a week before we found out. We would be committing a criminal offence by entering our property or attempting to move the squatters by using force. In UK law, squatting in a commercial property is seen as a civil matter and not a criminal matter therefore there is not much the police can do. This video is a must watch if you ever discover squatters. The laws are eye opening and we had no idea that this was not illegal. This video is Part 1 of 4.
Watch part 2 here: • ENTERING THE SQUATTER ...
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We are Lia and AK, and we're excited to share our journey with you as we navigate the world of property investing, business, and working together as a couple.
AK: I left my corporate job after experiencing mental and physical health issues, and we started our KZfaq channel to document our journey as new property investors in 2019 with no upfront capital. Expect weekly videos where we provide project updates, share best practices, money-saving tips, and our learnings along the way.
Lia: With nearly a decade of experience building my own entertainment channel on KZfaq from 0 to over 330k followers, the unpredictable nature of a content creator's monthly income took a toll on my mental health. Starting my property journey was my way of future-proofing my income and creating a stable, regular source of revenue. Ultimately, my goal is to build a secure financial foundation for our future family.
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Пікірлер: 160

@lout3921 Жыл бұрын

A guy in the U.S waited for the squatters to leave and squatted in his own house. He also had ownership papers to show the police. It worked and he avoided the long legal crap.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Ha, smart.....

@jmausa6688 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple I remember that. He squatted is own house from a women and daughter. It was brilliant!!

@susieb8661 Жыл бұрын

A commercial property should be as protected as a residence. How is this not trespassing / stealing! So sorry you guys are having this issue and have to spend money and time to deal with it. Not to mention the aggravation and stress this brings with it. The law needs to change. I hope it's resolved soon if not already for you - staying tuned for the next episode.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

It should! Not sure why it’s not. Thank you for watching Susie.

@beaatpeace2490 Жыл бұрын

O gosh, that's horrendous! I'm just flabbergasted that it would be considered criminal if you went into your very own property. Just shockin. Looking forward to the episode where you get them out.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Stay tuned Bea..... 😳

@gentlespiritjw4904 Жыл бұрын

I'm SO sorry this happened to you!! 😢 I will be watching for the next video to find out how everything turned out. 🙏 You are two of the most wonderful people that I know, and I really care about you. Much love from Jean xo

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thank you Jean! Appreciate the support as always.

@katherineferguson9880 Жыл бұрын

Can’t wait for the next installment of this saga.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

It’s coming soon lol

@bkm2797 Жыл бұрын

I'd be looking for any possible CCTV footage, or any neighbors who might have seen how these squatters really broke in. U.S. also has weak laws if any to protect the home owner, and the police say they are unable to tell who is telling the truth (especially if the squatters have fake papers), so it must go through the system. I believe the system should be held accountable for expenses that forced you to lawyer up and fight in the courts, it's their fault for not protecting the owners. Hoping there is a technicality in the legalese as to what the city who authorized you to move forward state, like what the property is now listed as, i.e. Residential vs. Commercial. So sorry this happened, but I'm still seeing smiles so I'm hoping in part 2 of this saga some good news! Thanks for the update.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

It should be simple. If you are not the owner (proven with the land registration) then you can be removed.

@bkm2797 Жыл бұрын

Yes it should, but again the police say they don't know which paperwork is real, therefore let the already jammed up courts decide, which of course can take waaay too long. Some stars are beginning to make changes, but the system is not supporting the owners like it should.

@lorilaruehueg1006 Жыл бұрын

What if you never received the letter or hadn't opened it and had popped into your property, I shudder to think what could have happened if you were alone, the outright gall of some people 😳

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Yeah a horrible thought right!

@chantemazy-richburg6444 Жыл бұрын

I can’t wait to hear how this all turned out. It sounds like you all remained calm and focused.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Lia did a fantastic job in remaining diligent and action focused!

@teknekon Жыл бұрын

Wow! That's terrible! So sorry that happened to you. Tragic! Can't wait to see how this sorts out. All the best! You guys are great! Thanks for sharing! L&C 👍😘❤️🇬🇧

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tek. Will keep you posted.

@dm7761 Жыл бұрын

So nice to finally find a channel with great interesting content! Looking forward to more...💯

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Stay tuned for the next update.

@kimm3473 Жыл бұрын

You two deserve so many more subscribers. You are an amazing presenting pair! ❤

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Appreciate it Kim! 💙

@donniebrooks21 Жыл бұрын

How awful and what a costly nightmare. Ready for the next episode

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks Donnie.

@Member15201 Жыл бұрын

I own a triplex in Pittsburgh PA. I am too old to be renting the other 2 hours and every few weeks I have squatter nightmares. So sorry for your nightmare.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching.

@rebeccajanemae Жыл бұрын

Wow! This blows my mind!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Ours too!

@harvestmoon_autumnsky Жыл бұрын

This happened to people down the street from me, and it was a nightmare getting the squatters out.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

I guess until it becomes a bigger issue, the government will not look at it.

@JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers Жыл бұрын

This is insane! The criminals are protected!!! So sorry you’ve had to go through this nightmare! We will stay tuned! ~Cara 😊

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks Cara

@tiamo543 Жыл бұрын

OMG that is so scary and strange, i am so sorry that happened to you!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks Cailey

@bethwerve282 Жыл бұрын

This is just terrible! Can't believe what you have been through...As if you've got nothing else on your plate this year! I hope Scotland will be fun for you and not just another stressor.

@trippyerinsd Жыл бұрын

Whoa, this is crazy! 😓

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

🙃

@larrygratz7695 Жыл бұрын

You seem to be good people - unfortunately you are the kind that bear the burden of horrible public policy - woke policy here in the states. I lived in England 3 years but at that time I didn't own anything and loved the country. Your landlord experience is most like those who own property on our West coast. Good luck, I didn't learn to smile again until I sold my rental. Your story is a common one - for either country. I love that you can keep smiling.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and taking the time to share your comments.

@CathyMiller0711 Жыл бұрын

OMG! This is absolutely mind blowing! I've never heard of a such a thing! Can't wait to hear more.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks Cathy.

@heatherjones1423 Жыл бұрын

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry. Squatting is such a huge issue for people these days.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Savage isn’t it.

@heatherjones1423 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple very. It’s just terrible.

@ablanco5 Жыл бұрын

This is insane--what a nightmare!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Tell us about it.... thanks for watching Anna.

@BackpackingBananas Жыл бұрын

It’s just so wild that a landlord does not have the right to just kick a squatter off their property - like… it’s yours? I hope UK gov watches this series and considers re-designing the law again.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Honestly Christy. Backwards law.

@onenation9510 Жыл бұрын

You must file an IPO application with your local county court. The court will send you confirmation of your IPO within 48 hours, along with documentation to give to squatters.

@peggyford3801 Жыл бұрын

That is becoming a big problem here in the United States. They won’t move out, police can’t help bc the squatters say it’s their home…meanwhile destroying the property in revenge. Oh wow 😮 I can hardly wait to hear the rest of the story!

@jeanbennett202 Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, sorry you've been having to deal with that headache.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

🙏

@diannawix6879 Жыл бұрын

Need to know more please

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

You will soon!

@ayseteshdemir3567 Жыл бұрын

'Professional Squatters' this isn't their first rodeo. Makes you shudder to think the Government has placed rights for the criminal and made law abiding citizens the bad guy. Topsy Turvey World. In the end it will all be in your favor, because you both are calm and methodical on how you're dealing with this nonsense. *Sending MUCH LOVE!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Leaya smashed it, really dealt with it quick!

@user-kg7tc7il2i Жыл бұрын

Feel SO sorry for what happened to you, no one should steal property don't belong to him or her.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thanks, it’s frustrating to say the least

@ingaborlowski1536 Жыл бұрын

😳😳😳🤯🤯🤯‼️‼️‼️🤞 🤞 I am on the edge of my seat!!!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Catch us in the next one!

@dianenewman2161 Жыл бұрын

Hi Lia & AK, this is horrible for you guys. I don’t understand the residential vs commercial. Why should the squatters be ok in a commercial building? It still not theirs, they don’t own the property no matter what type of business it is. You had to go thru so much with this property already. I truly hope everything works out & you don’t have to spend a lot of money on legal fees. Happy 🐣Easter & take care. Diane

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Hi Diane, we are as confused as you. It should be the same rule across all the types of property. Thank you for watching, and stay tuned for the next one! Thanks, AK

@500res 8 күн бұрын

Oh no.. my first thought would have been too offer them half the legal costs maybe £5,000 cut your losses, get witnesses. Hopefully that would work

@catherinereeves5707 Жыл бұрын

First, congratulations on your channel, and secondly, WOW, these really sound like professionals! They have done this before! I'm so sorry!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thank you Catherine. We appreciate all of your support and are humbled and grateful for your very generous gifts that you make the effort to send. AK.

@Member15201 Жыл бұрын

ANGER

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Is how we felt

@MARKB3946 Жыл бұрын

Wow ... This is pitiful. Even if a window had been left open how is that not trespassing. Squatting should not be allowed. Period. To me that is the same as stealing. I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Appreciate the comments Mark. It’s a tough situation to navigate.

@Simbecile Жыл бұрын

In most US states you have to squat for 20 years, cannot break and enter to get in and have notified the owner without them responding during that 20 years to claim squatters rights. All a property owner has to do is show up at a property once in a while and you are no longer a squatter, you're a trespasser.

@vzwodb17 10 ай бұрын

False. It varies by state and in most jurisdictions you have to go through an eviction process to get rid of them

@karenritter3888 Жыл бұрын

Can you turn off water and electricity?

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

That could be an option.

@loriwalker2448 Жыл бұрын

That would cause people to have open flames in the property and possibly burn the place down. That’s often how squatters are discovered.

@LurkerSmurf Жыл бұрын

It's terrible that the squatters sort-of knew the legal proceedings. They had clearly done this before. All property owners should learn this topic.

@loriwalker2448 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, too bad they didn’t take their legal skills and efforts into getting an actual job instead of being a criminal!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

It's pretty easy to find when you google it to be fair.

@JuleODonnell Жыл бұрын

OMG! what kind of law is that? We ( my husband and I) were wondering why we haven't seen much from you. Good Luck!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Hey Jule, we post a video every week, where have you been? 😂

@marissacaldeira2098 Жыл бұрын

OMG!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Right!

@Brooksie603 Жыл бұрын

Ugh that is horrible! Some people really have a lot of nerve pulling shady crap like that. Do they have any sort of legal things in the UK such as taking those people to court for a civil suit to demand they pay for all the legal fees they made you spend getting their hobo butts out of your property?

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

The police can do nothing as it’s a civil matter.

@BrianAlt Жыл бұрын

Very difficult situation. Also, not fair being left with a cliffhanger!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Haha Brian stay tuned

@BrianAlt Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple I'm trying!

@Latbirget Жыл бұрын

Wow, they broke into your property, how can it be a civil matter? What an awful thing to happen. The police are useless.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Try and make sense of the law….. actually don’t, it will make your head hurt.

@Latbirget Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple I hope you surprise me and say the police did something without your having to spend much money but I'm not holding my breath! That note on the door was pure BS. You can easily prove to the police that you are the owner and you didn't give permission. They know that this was a break in so why can't they do anything.

@asdt2858 Жыл бұрын

Ahh such a cliffhanger! It’s crazy that people can legally take over your property for free, possibly damage it and you have to pay loads of money to get them to leave! I can’t believe this is something that happens. Also wondering what happens if the owner doesn’t find out about the squatters until after the 28 days has passed?

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Well then it becomes a real issue! Thanks for watching

@mobrown7594 5 ай бұрын

I feel for you guys soooooo much my God smh

@verac6731 Жыл бұрын

I can't believe that you can't get them out.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Savage isn’t it.

@Bandofgold Жыл бұрын

I don't live in the UK but i know where i live in Canada we're having an affordable housing issue. Is there something you could to do help unhoused people in your community or the communities around your properties?

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Yes we are actually looking at the social housing model at the moment, it’s something on our radar.

@Bandofgold Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple that’s incredible! I think it could also make for a great series to showcase how you’ve taken what is obviously a very stressful situation but moved forward with empathy for those who aren’t as fortunate. I was able to purchase a home for my young family 2 years ago and it really amplified how lucky I am and made me want to help uplift my community.

@jackblair8935 Жыл бұрын

Wow…I know you guys are stressed but keep good notes and write a novel when resolved as this is really interesting and would make a great book…good luck.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Interesting…. Not sure who would buy it Jack 😂

@targetedplantsguy9481 Жыл бұрын

We having the same problem in the US as well. The internet is making it popular to squat. Most states here have squatters rights.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Here in the UK, there is a housing crisis, so I get it from a human level. However it's kind of ironic, because we are trying to provide more housing for people!

@dougchinn2820 Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately this happens sometimes. Have known investors to board up the windows, and/or post cameras/motion detectors inside. Also, it protects the material and tools stored inside. Hope it's not a huge legal issue for you.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

The gates were secured and padlocked but he cut through them.

@dougchinn2820 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple Sounds like a pure case of breaking and entering, and trespassing.

@johnhelwig8745 Жыл бұрын

Hope you have someone keeping an eye on the property while this gets settled... Don't want you to have any damage left by these squatters. I would take them to civil court for damages.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

We have a giant pack of guard dogs surrounding the property now.

@johnhelwig8745 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple That will work. Maybe mount a security camera outside so you can watch for activity. We have one at my condo and everyone that owns a unit can view it on-line. It's great because it's a vacation property, so no one is there full time.

@questionmark9819 Жыл бұрын

Can you imagine if all of this stuff happened during the pandemic, they'd still be there. Good grief, how awful. One thing I would do is contact social services, if there's children in there then that's not good and also RSPCA for the animals too. I hope it's all sorted now but that's a piss take.

@SheilaKarner Жыл бұрын

😲😖

@jessicajanowiak4199 Жыл бұрын

W.T.F. That's insane that you can't evict squatters from your own property.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Please let it make sense

@karenwhite7023 Жыл бұрын

What a nightmare. Is this just for England about squatters?😮

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

We can’t talk about anywhere else, but these are the laws here with commercial property.

@1815matt Жыл бұрын

I think the problem is that once someone sees the word "commercial," they associate it with massive faceless corporations, but the reality is that it's often just regular people who are investing a lot of their own money. Squatters breaking into a property that has been left derelict for 10 years while developers play the waiting game seems fair enough. But in so many instances, it's just people like yourselves who are the victims, and it is so unfair.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your points Matthew. I understand there is a housing crisis, and on a human level I feel for the squatter. However, we are actually trying to provide more housing for people, so all he is doing is slowing that down. The law should extend to commercial property also in my opinion. Thanks for watching, AK.

@Marcus_The_Comedian 8 ай бұрын

NEW YORKER HERE. I thought squirters were peeing. I was like why people are peeing on their property. lol🤣lol😅lol😂lol. Now know what it is. It happened here too. But not as much as the UK.

@cindland Жыл бұрын

I feel the whole idea of tenants’ rights and the way it works today is insane. The laws are on the side of the squatters. And property owners are penalized as if they’re to be punished for having the “means” to have ownership. Like they’ve done something to the squatters, instead of the other way around. In the US it’s very difficult to eject squatters and even tenants who haven’t paid rent. The law won’t assist the owner and therefore owners are forced to go through the courts at their own expense. It’s just insane. In your case, why should even commercial owners be “punished”? I hope you can create a precedent to help the laws get changed. But if as in the US, the laws seems to be on the side of the intruders, you probably won’t have much lucky. I just don’t get how they decide that “ownership” goes to the squatter, when it’s a property that you have to pay taxes as well as the purchase price for!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

If anyone can explain the logic to me I’d appreciate it 😂

@matejblaha4659 Жыл бұрын

I didn't know squatters have any rights😮

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Now you do 😃

@Kimten3000 Жыл бұрын

Cheek of some people. Hard to accept that they have the rights and entitlements that they do. Something is radically wrong with the system of law.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Agree totally Jill

@bdcalling1391 4 ай бұрын

How come you didn’t apply to court to get VP?

@sircarl56 Жыл бұрын

This is a huge problem in some U.S. States. Others though, have no protection for squatters, and the police will quickly remove them as trespassers. Florida is infested with squatters. I hope Joel’s parents never have that problem.

@targetedplantsguy9481 Жыл бұрын

Luckily it's not as hard to remove them here in Oklahoma.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

What happens there?

@targetedplantsguy9481 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple must show proof of ownership or rental contract. A person in my state has to squat for 7 years or more with utilities, a mailbox, and a letter of notice to the public to have their rights fulfilled.

@targetedplantsguy9481 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple I believe our squatters rights were inspired from the UK. Lol back from the old days of the British are coming the British are coming.

@lisas572 Жыл бұрын

Can't you put up NO Trespassing signs and take pictures of them. So, this doesn't happen again?

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

That would likely bring more attention to the empty property

@lisas572 Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple oh, in America you know to stay away cause you're likely to get shot 😂

@FaithySch Жыл бұрын

How is this not trespassing?!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Ask the UK Government Faith 😂

@FaithySch Жыл бұрын

@@PropertyCouple what a nightmare! I haven’t seen you’re 4th episode yet, so I’m hoping it all works out for you guys!

@aliciaphillips8996 Жыл бұрын

I don’t understand how squatters have any rights in any country. To me, squatters are committing a crime: break and enter or trespassing.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Because the government can’t sort out the housing problem so they make it the issue of landlords.

@teebrowne-prince3085 Жыл бұрын

😂🤣😅😆😁😄 oh hell no. Where I'm from, you'll end up on the wrong end of a shotgun if you enter a property without permission. That's called trespassing and trespassers are liable to be shot!!!!

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

Where are you from?

@teebrowne-prince3085 Жыл бұрын

@Property Couple Connecticut and a small town in upstate New York, US. There is just no way this would be tolerated. And to write a note as though they have a claim on your property - because they climbed through a window - 😡😡😡😡😡. You need to change your property laws ASAP. Congrats on building up your property empire! We need more young people like you two, on both sides of the pond.

@kubhlaikhan2015 Жыл бұрын

Seriously, don't panic. It is perfectly reasonable for homeless people to take shelter in a disued buildiing and the right to do that is embedded in human rights laws dating back 1000 years. It is wrong the same doesn't still apply to "residential" buildings as well but the reason is the fast turn over in the modern housing market - too many people making quick money in property speculation and landlordism. The human rights of desperate people has precedence over your privilege to make money from property development and rightfully so. Since your planning permission process is already at least a year long, you can easily let these people live there for a few months. If they arent damaging it why not? Many squatters I've known actively improved the properties they occupied. What you should have done straight away was to go and TALK to them. Almost certainly you could reach an equitable solution that looks after all parties best interests. Be human.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

I find it very idealistic when you say that someone without a home takes precedence over someones privilege to do a project like this that will provide a home for 8 more people. A statement like that insinuates that it’s my responsibility to house people which ironically I’m actually trying to do. I find it very ignorant and very It’s easy for you to say this when you have no skin in the game. I feel we handled it extremely well and were more than accommodating and empathetic to this person. Thanks, AK

@OwainOwine 9 ай бұрын

@@PropertyCoupleno you’re trying to profit off of people, not house people. Don’t confuse the two. I think what the original commenter has said is reasonable. You’re looking at making an 8 bed HMO… this is not housing, it is cramming as many people into a space as legally possible. Honestly, if you were making ‘homes’ why not make a more reasonable space for people to live? Looking at the rest of this channel, it’s obvious the moral argument that you’re making housing for 8 people is a joke. You only care about making a return on investment. That is okay, just don’t frame it as anything other than that. I have absolutely no sympathy for professional landlords.

@Brett3am Жыл бұрын

This type of business is WAY above your level of ability if you think that sign saying "Residental Care Home" means that is literally a residential home hahahah.

@PropertyCouple Жыл бұрын

No we knew it was a commercial property

@vzwodb17 10 ай бұрын

Yeah these zoomers really have no clue