what are the legal implications of taking over an empty property that i still have a key to & used to live in?

Question

I used to live in a company flat, I was bought out of the property, but when i moved out, nobody took the key back. The property is still empty.
I read on another site, I cant remember what the name of it is, that you can legally move in the property and take it over as yours. Is this true and what are the legal implications?

Answer 1

Breaking and entry would be the "legal implications". Breaking in does not mean you get to steal the property.

Answer 2

Quick call the local police and report that you just broke into a property you don't own and have yourself arrested!
No, you don't want to do that? I am sure the owner would if they find you in there. I believe what you are thinking about is squatters rights. In Louisiana that would take 30 years of open and obvious use of the property which is actually transferable. If you had a title even if it was flawed or fake without your knowledge it would be called color of title and that would take 10 years. If you have a tax title from a tax sale it would take 3 years if you can prove the owner knew about the sale and 5 years if they don't. We sell houses everyday in which the purchasers don't change the keys. That don't give the seller's rights to enter the property.

STAY AWAY FROM THE PROPERTY!
Michael

Answer 3

You would be nuts to do that since you were given access at one time, you are basically breaking and entering.

Squatting is open and notorious occupation for at least 5 years (time varies state to state) and you need to pay the property taxes on the property. I don't even know if squatters rights apply to a business property.

Answer 4

The bank will initiate a foreclosure proceeding against you to legally regain title to the property, unless you willingly sign over the deed to them. Chances are that you will be held liable for any deficiency amount left after the bank disposes of the property through real estate brokerage or on its own. Meanwhile, this will doubtless be reported to the credit reporting agencies, and you won't have a very good credit score.

Answer 5

You said flat, which is more of UK, Europe phrase, so not sure , what country you live in, but in the US I would say you are simply commiting a crime of breaking and entering and illegal occupying a property. Would they change you with a crime, ask for back rent, or try to get you fired from you job for abusing a company owned property, who knows.
I would say the laws are similar in most EU countries.

Answer 6

Unlawful entry is the legal term for what you intend doing. You would need to be in the property for 12 years without your residency being questioned by the owners before you can claim it as yours. This is the same as squatters rights xxxx

Answer 7

This appears to be tantamount to "unauthorised occupation" and, once the owners are aware that you are living there they can apply to the County Court for possession. In the circumstances you highlight, possession will be granted very quickly, within 28 days and Court bailiffs will evict you unceremoniously.

FYI: Squatters Rights no longer exist unless you have occupied the same address for 14 years without the landlord taking any action to evict you.

Answer 8

unlawful entry would probably be the charge if you were caught in the property. It doesnt belong to you. It USED to, you said but not anymore. That's like someone selling a house then letting themselves in when the people who bought it off you are away on holiday or other reason.

Answer 9

if you got a key and it works it cant be classed as breaking in if you move in and pay bills well it comes the law of squatters rights but think is a very old UK law which you need to check up on that might help you