France speeds up procedures to evict squatters from homes

The French Government has formalized this Friday a procedure that accelerates the squatter evictions of all types of housing, including second homes, to combat these practices and reinforce the rights of homeowners. The Ministers of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, Justice, Ã?? Ric Dupond-Moretti, and Housing, Emmanuelle Wargon, indicated in a statement that they have sent an instruction to the prefects (government delegates) that detail the application of a law adopted on December 7 with that objective.

The ministers emphasized that administrative evictions could also be carried out in houses that were vacant at the time of the squatters, and that “constitutes a real protection for the owners of secondary or occasional residences.”

They have also stressed that these procedures are not affected by the regulations that prevent the evictions of tenants from being carried out in France during the winter, between November 1 and March 31. The eviction of squatters it can be requested by owners, tenants, but also by anyone who acts on their behalf, which includes, for example, the relatives of an elderly person who has been admitted to a residence.

The finding of an illegal occupation may be made by a judicial police officer. As soon as an eviction request is submitted, the prefect you will have to give an answer within 48 hours. It can only be rejected for “an overriding reason of general interest” or when the conditions of the forced evacuation procedure are not met. Once the prefect’s decision has been notified, the eviction will have to be done no later than 24 hours after the squatters have been informed that they have to leave the house.

“The Government – the ministers stressed – is determined to put an end to illegal occupations that deprive owners of their residence and to reinforce their rights by facilitating and speeding up procedures.” In parallel, they also recalled that they work to protect people in a precarious situation without a home.