Odd thing to say. :conf: I can understand you being in complete disagreement with some of the downward spiralling of our country, given what our forebearers did for us (or more specifically, disagreeing with some views that some of us may hold) - completely understand that, I don't understand why you struggle to take people with that opinion seriously - because it's not an opinion shared.

As I conceded I don't know how they'd collect it so how can I answer? I'm no council tax expert, I merely searched online and found out that they are liable to pay council tax, you can't dismiss that just by being sceptical of how that will be collected

I didn't bother answering your example because it was stupid straw man; because owning a car and actually having a roof over your head are the same thing :rolleyes: I'm not going to defend someone taking your car because a car is not a necessity, if someone doesnt own one then its not that big a deal; being homeless is a very different matter

You havent exactly proved me wrong with that copy and paste from wiki, the article is on the whole very positive; "derelict buildings were completely rebuilt by the squatters...buildings were demolished and most were badly damaged but were rebuilt again by the residents. The residents of St Agnes paid all utility bills and for several years were run by a housing cooperative. One resident of St.Agnes, on Lambeth's housing list for eighteen years, forced to squat with children was never offered housing by the council".

And then it lists all the positive services that the squatting community offered, a hell of a lot more than the council offered or was offered by empty, derelict properties

You're going to equate squatting with rape? Seriously?

the car comparison was a perfect example of one person owing property, and paying for it's upkeep - but not using it. It is EXACTLY the same principle.

I appreciate you said you weren't sure how the council would collect council tax/water rates from squatters .... what you may have missed during the posts back and forward, is the fact a very great many do not get paid - because the squatters move on - leaving the unpaid bills behind. The result of that - is every honest tax payer out there - having to cough up more and more every year to help recoope such abuse of services and financial losses of this nature. That then impacts strongly on the every day person out there, who go work hard, come home, pay their housing costs, council tax, water rates etc...... and really struggle hard to do so - because of ever increasing costs due to people like squatter not paying their way and taking a free ride on society.

Out of the thousands and thousands of squatters, with respect: if you think one sob story started way back in the late 60's - with people building / restoring a few buildings (21 I think without checking back) - not for the good of the community: but for their own good ....... no one elses - their own good. One story like that because they paid their utility bill but stole property (and the land it stood on....), sorry, it aint going to wash with me.

As for you highlighting the ONE resident who was never offered accomodation by Lambeth council.... have you looked into the reasons why? Am pretty sure they didn't take one look and say, "nah sorry doll.... brunettes aren't getting houses this decade". If she was that desperate, why didn't she apply to some other council....

er, I haven't equated them I've just listed them as examples of things judges have famously condoned to some degree or other. Ill equate them in the sense that they are all WRONG in my mind and should not be in anyway encouraged by dumbass judges. What a disgraceful message to send out. And by judges of all people.

My longtime school mate actually choses to squat. Its not like she was forced into it by neing homeless, oh no. She CHOSE to move to london and find other squatters to freeload with. I dont understand the mentality behind that at ALL. I know some people its a choice between living on the streets or squatting, but to leave a perfectly good home to chose to do it?

well rent is expensive in London, so why bother paying to move there? :bored:

The idea that these squatters are just poor little homeless people who have no other options is utter crap. Most are just freeloaders, crackheads and criminals wanting the usual freeride in life. And arrogantly thinking they have a right to it.

And then judges like her come along and champion them on. Nevermind the fact that somebody has worked hard and paid taxes to acquire that property. No, just let a bunch of random people come and steal it from them when theyre not home. Nice.

Because they pay no rent :p

She was paying no rent here either like. But that was because she was living with her mam.

Started talking to some squatters on the internet, decided 'free' life was for her, and left :bored:

They also get their food from supermarket bins and that, I believe its called being a freegan or something.

(And her 'sick' money, is spent on alcohol and gigs too. Since no food has to be bought or rent payed for)

Freegan?? oh my god, I've heard it all now! :laugh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeganism

:laugh:

Oddly enough, part of being a freegan...includes squatting


'Working less is another component of freeganism. Freegans oppose the notion of working for the sole purpose of accumulating material items.'

This part makes me laugh, when it comes to my mate. I dont know if all of these freegans claim benefits..but surely if its actually all about abolishing materialism...since she has a 'free' life', nothing to actually pay for or anything, she would not be claiming dole would she :D


IMO its just a nicer way of saying scrounger.

Except as I pointed out a car is not a necessity, sure in both cases the person would technically be using someone elses property. But the point I'm trying to make is that when people are gonna be out on the streets homeless and there are derelict buildings that are completely empty than sometimes it is more important to make sure those buildings are actually put to some use and that people actually have a roof over their heads

Why would the burden fall upon "every" taxpayer. If squatters don't pay council tax than the property owner would be paying it just as he would if there were never any squatters there at all, other taxpayers won't be footing the bill for it.

Hardly "one sob story"; you asked for examples and I gave you two of them. You say they built up houses for themselves but you're mad if you can't the benefit to the community from replacing empty, derelict houses in disrepair with occupied houses that are done up and with occupants who actually offer other services to society.

And as for that story, I don't know the background and how could I, it isnt even referenced in the article really so the stories truth at all is only a matter of speculation

Sorry I misunderstood, when you put (that's what squatting is) in the brackets besides home stealing I thought that was also referring to rape and burglary

And of course.... these types - end up needing dental care, medical care etc - and have contributed not a bloody penny towards it.

Well, I may just become a Freegan myself :hmph: We all should, see how long the Freegans would last then :idc: So, they're against working for stuff but for other people working for their stuff?

Well apparently they dont want stuff full stop. :laugh:

As I say, I can only go on my mate, there might be other 'freegans' out there who dont claim dole or anything.

If you actually read all of what this judge says she doesn't even make sense. She's all over the place with her illogical thinking. She admits that it could encourage crime but then claims it's good for area's and is in public interest!!

Sounds like one of those twisted liberal thinkers who are so obsessed with being seen as some champion of the underclasses that they totally lose sight of the rights of decent, hardworking people who actually live within the rules of the law. She obviously doesn't care much about some poor family coming home and being faced with a bunch of strangers telling them they can't enter their own home anymore. Often in a very aggressive manner. Or the neighbours that have to live next to a scrapheap full of junkies.

Just bizarre, twisted and immoral thinking as far as Im concerned. People are sick of it.

A empty home could be regarded as not a necessity - but neither does tat give the right for someone to just help themselves to it - when someone else is working hard paying for it, and it's upkeep.

What about those people who work abroad for months at a tiime - should it be acceptable that the live wiht the fear that "Hey, it's an empty house, he's not going to need it for a few months, so it's our now".

I understand perfectly clear the point you are making about derelict houses used for homeless people - that is a completely different thing altogether from squatting. Totally different.

If you are quite serious in your question below:with respect: you are failing at every turn and at very basic level in understanding where taxes come from, what they are used for, and why some of our taxes are so high.

"Why would the burden fall upon "every" taxpayer. If squatters don't pay council tax than the property owner would be paying it just as he would if there were never any squatters there at all, other taxpayers won't be footing the bill for it"

In honestly: I'm open mouthed at your comment above and the least I say about it the better.

As for this part in your reply:

And as for that story, I don't know the background and how could I, it isnt even referenced in the article really so the stories truth at all is only a matter of speculation

Again, I'm astounded that you provide an example to back up your point - with something that you don't know the background on, and admit it could all just be speculation. It doesn't really aid your stance putting up 'stories' in every sense of the word - all things considered with regards to the 'speculative' nature of some of the content of the story.

If you don't have a home yourself I'd say it very much is a necessity, but in any case it is better that these houses are actually used than having them standing there empty considering the housing crisis we have in this country. Those who do live in their houses when they are in this country shouldnt have it occupied by squatter no, I'm not talking about those people though

And I understand taxes perfectly well, I did A-Level Economics I'll have ya know :hmph: But we were talking about who pays the tax on a property; as I pointed out the squatter is liable to pay if they are staying in the house and if they are not then it is "the owner of the property where noone is resident". Also your own information concerning squatters and council tax seems merely to have come from DS http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1285183

Your edit referred to a very small part of the story which I dont know the details on no. And I'm off out now so I'll answer in more detail later

How much a stalker are you... good god - talk about creepy - seeking out posts I made on DS 15months ago....!!! OMG. :shocked::shocked:

yes, I've had similar discussions on DS? Your point is? Oh...that I happened to learn something?

Again... how creepy.

Far more importantly.... haven't forum members been banned for going around stalking tibb members and posting things unrelated to tibbs on here..... is it acceptable for moderators to do the same.?

The goverment and councils should do more about derelict buildings for sure. But to use that as an excuse to just give people free reign to break into properties and take legal residence is just insane. And as we all well know squatters are not selective about which properties they choose to occupy. They basically invade any house they find empty for a short time. Their blatant immorality proven when they then refuse to leave at the owners request.

LOL @ MTVN stalking Pyramid!

lmao

Much as there is a humorous element, ... I think it's well beyond the realms of acceptability!!!

but it's nice to know that I actually learned something along the way... seems you can teach an old dog new tricks.

And all the better if the houses they squat in are carpetted, have nice furnishing etc......

I'm not saying he is stalking you but I find the idea of it hilarious!

Clearly he is.... you dont' come across a random post from another site by accident or by googling my username - even throwing the prefix digital spy along with it..... it's not exactly the first thing that crops up on google. ;)

Erm...I just tried this out of boredom...and well...try searching 'Pyramid* squatters' in google :laugh3: