SQUATTERS Meaning and
Definition
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Squatters are individuals or groups of people who unlawfully occupy or inhabit an unused or abandoned property, usually without the permission or consent of the property owner. This practice is often seen as a form of civil disobedience or protest against property ownership and exclusionary systems.
Squatters typically move into these properties without legal title, lease agreements, or any contractual agreement with the rightful owner. They may occupy a variety of spaces, including residential buildings, commercial properties, or even vacant land. Squatting can occur in both urban and rural areas, but it is more common in densely populated cities, where the demand for housing is high.
Squatters often argue that they are reclaiming abandoned spaces, providing solutions to homelessness, or challenging the housing market's inequalities. However, their actions are considered illegal in most jurisdictions, as they violate property rights and trespassing laws. Property owners typically have the right to evict squatters through legal means, such as filing a lawsuit or obtaining a court order.
Squatter communities sometimes form, creating alternative living arrangements within the occupied spaces. These communities often have their own set of rules and social dynamics, including shared responsibilities and decision-making processes. Some squatters may work to establish legal rights to the occupied property by obtaining adverse possession rights, which grant ownership after a certain period of continuous occupation.
Overall, squatters are individuals or groups who occupy and live in a property without lawful permission, often as a form of protest or out of necessity.
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Etymology of SQUATTERS
The word "squatters" originates from the verb "squat", which can be traced back to the mid-15th century. "Squat" originally meant to settle or establish oneself in a place by occupying it without permission or legal right. The term "squatters" emerged later to refer to individuals who settled on and occupied land, typically without owning it or having legal authorization to do so.
The origin of the verb "squat" is uncertain, although it possibly comes from the Old French word "esquatir", meaning "to crush" or "to crouch". This connection is due to the act of squatting, which involves lowering one's body and crouching down, often in an unauthorized or illegal manner on someone else's property.
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