This survey is part of the SQUASH campaign to stop the criminalisation of squatting by the current government.

We are collecting data and case studies to demonstrate that squatting is a positive force, and to highlight the abuses by landlords, bailiffs and the police in their dealings with squatters. The questions below look at various aspects of squatting, and the information collected here will be used to demonstrate the financial and social impact of squatting, the costs associated with bringing a new law into force, and provide a snapshot of squatting in 2011.

All these areas are important in trying to oppose the upcoming law changes. All information provided will be kept confidential and anonymous. However if you are happy to be contacted by SQUASH, to follow up on some of the information you provide (e.g. case studies), please leave your email address below.

You do not have to answer any question you feel uncomfortable providing the information for (eg it is personal information, answering it might implicate you in a criminal or civil offence, etc). While we would like as much information as possible, your peace of mind is more important.

Survey Questions

*(denotes required field)

Name: *

E-Mail Address: *

Your name or pseudonym

Your gender

Female
Male
Other

What is your age group?

17 or under
18-21
22-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41+

Would you say that you belong to any of these groups? (tick as many as apply)

Person with Children
Person on low income
Refugee
Asylum seeker
Migrant communities
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transexual (LGBT)
Black and/or ethnic minority

Squatting and your squat

Are you currently squatting?

Yes
No
Sort of

If not, have you ever squatted for residential purposes?

Yes
No
Sort of

How long have you been squatting this time/the last time you were squatting?

Whereabouts are/were you squatting (general area e.g. London, Coventry)?

How many people are/were in your squat?

How long did/have you squat/ted your most recent/current building?

Who owns the property?

Private landlord
Property Developer
Local Council
Housing Association
No Idea
Other (please state in the question)

Other owner from previous question

Are you in contact with the landlord?

Yes
No

What sort of relationship do you have with them?

Good
Poor
Indifferent

Is your squat in contact with the local community?

Yes
No

If so is your relationship with the community:

Good
Poor
Indifferent

What type of property is/was it?

Detached house
Bungalow
Semi detached house
Flat
Terraced house
Office building
Shop-front
Other commercial

Indicate roughly when the property was built.

Pre-1914
1914-1939
1940-1960
1961-1979
1980-1999
2000 or later

How would you describe the property's general condition?

Ready for occupation (in good condition)
Requires redecoration (in fair condition)
Requires major improvement works (very poor condition)

Do you run any social or community activities for the local community from the building?

Freeshop
Freeschool
Advice and Consoling
Workshops
Gigs and Benefits
Other (please specify in next question)

Your personal situation

What are/were your reasons for squatting?

Financial
Political
Socio-Cultural
Sense of Community
Other (please specify in next question)

What was your housing situation before you started squatting?

Private Renting
Home Owner
Mortgage
Hall of Residence
Parental Home
Sofa Surfing
Street Homeless
Hostel
Supported Housing
Travelling
Other

Do you currently pay any taxes?

Yes
No

Which taxes do you pay?

Income Tax
Vehicle Tax
Council Tax
National Insurance
TV License
Other

Do you currently pay/contribute towards any utilities?

Yes
No

Which utilities do you pay for?

Electricity
Water
Gas
Other

Do you currently receive any benefits?

Yes
No

Which benefits do you currently receive?

EMA
JSA
ESA
DLA
Other

Is it just yourself you financially support?

Yes
No

If no who else do you financially support?

Child
Parent
Partner
Pet
Other

The effects of the law on you

Would the introduction of (a new) Intentional Trespass Law deter you from squatting?

Yes
No
Maybe

If yes or maybe what would you do for accommodation instead?

Private Renting
Home Owner
Mortgage
Hall of Residence
Parental Home
Sofa Surfing
Street Homeless
Hostel/Supported Housing
Travelling
Other

If yes would you apply for Housing Benefit?

Yes
No
Maybe

Have you ever been arrested as a direct result of squatting?

Yes
No

If yes, how many times?

If yes, have you ever received a penalty as a direct result of squatting?

Yes
No

If yes, how many penalties as a direct result of squatting have you received?

Have you ever resisted being evicted from a squatted place of residence by bailiffs? (Do not include participation in incidences of squatter support)

Yes
No

If yes, how many times?

If yes, of those times how many resulted in police involvement?

If you faced police enforcement of (new) Intentional Trespass Law at a place you were squatting what action would you take? (As many as apply)

Resist eviction independently
Move on to squat another building
Organise to resist
Request support to resist eviction
Stop squatting
Not sure
Other

Have you ever been physically assaulted, harassed or intimidated by bailiffs, security personnel or the police while squatting a building (ie not during an eviction)?

Yes
No

Have bailiffs, security or the police ignored legal warnings (eg Section 6) and broken into and/or verbally abused those inside the squatted/ occupied premises?

Yes
No

Have you (or anyone you know) ever been evicted from a building by an Interim Possession Order (IPO) or Displaced Residential Occupier (DRO) or Protected Intended Occupier (PIO)?

Yes
No

Please enter the above characters in this box: *