John and Rebecca Hamilton-Brown count cost of squatters’ six-week occupation of Archway home
‘We had to rent a flat and spend thousands of pounds on court fees... that cannot be fair’
Published: 11 March, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
A COUPLE whose home in Archway was squatted in for six weeks have called for a change in the law to stop others suffering a similar experience.
John Hamilton-Brown and his wife Rebecca said that, while they sympathised with the aims of squatting – to highlight property left empty for years and the plight of the homeless – ordinary homeowners should not be targeted.
They spoke out after 10 squatters left their five-bedroom property in Gladsmuir Road on Monday morning, minutes before the arrival of bailiffs who gained a possession order from Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court.
Mr Hamilton-Brown, who is still estimating possible damage to the property, showed the Tribune around the house, where rooms were strewn with rubbish and empty bottles.
The couple were carrying out renovations on the house when the squatters, mostly in their early 20s and thought to be from France, Spain and Poland, moved in overnight. They had managed to reconnect the heating and had brought their own furniture.
Because there was no proof they had forced their way into the house, police could not evict them and the couple had to get a court order, which took weeks.
Mr Hamilton-Brown called for the law to give greater assistance to homeowners whose property becomes a squat.
He was forced to negotiate with the group through the letterbox because they refused to speak to him face to face.
“The law says that squatting is a civil offence rather than criminal,” he said. “It meant we have had to rent a flat, spend thousands on court fees and wait six weeks for the County Court to agree we can have own home back. That can’t be fair. There needs to be a change in the law.”
The Hamilton-Browns, who have two young daughters, said the experience had stretched them “to the limit”. Mr Hamilton-Brown, who runs a graphic firm, said: “This whole period has been very traumatic and we just want to get back to normal.
“My advice to anyone undertaking renovations would be to make sure there is no ‘for sale’ sign outside their home as that is a give-away. You need to make it look like people are in. It is a big mistake to make it look totally empty.”
Gary Rosenthal, director of Whitehalls estate agency in nearby Cressida Road, which sold the property to the couple, said security was paramount. Windows particularly needed to be locked. They were often the main point of access.
“Where possible it is always advisable to have a house sitter living in around the clock,” he said.
Mrs Hamilton-Brown said she was not against squatting when homes are left empty and decaying for years and action highlighted the plight of the homeless.
“But to go into someone’s house where people are obviously going to live and then have the audacity to turn up to court and say that they have rights – that just make your blood boil,” she added.