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A squatter moves his family in

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. I noticed a posting on a Bulgarian forum asking about squatters and offer some advice.

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. A man contacted me and asked if I would visit his property as he has been told that

. someone is living in his house without his permission.

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. I agree to visit the property and we agree a schedule.

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. We make some initial enquiries with other people in the Village and are told

. that the squatters are honest, respectful people.

. (But bear in mind they entered the property without permission).

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. We meet the squatters and talk to them.

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. That is Andrew (my son) in the photo, Andrew speaks Bulgarian.

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. The man told us that he and his family returned 3 months ago from Greece

. were he had been working.

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. He and his family had no where to stay and the woman next door had told him

. that the house was empty and that they could live there.

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. The lady told us that her father was in charge of looking after the materials

. when the house was re-roofed.

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. On inspection I could see that the grounds were being cared for.

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. The fruit was in good condition and the front garden had been recently dug and tided up.

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. I inspected the property both on the inside and the outside.

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. I took around 60 photos so that the Client could see the entire house, inside and out.

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. Whilst there I took a copy of the squatters passport, an electricity meter reading

. and a water reading.

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. The squatters asked to stay at the house. I was of the opinion that they had done

. no damage (which is unusual) and that they were tidying the house generally.

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. I know that there are quite a few gypsies in that area and, if the house was left empty,

. it was quite lightly that items would go missing.

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. The squatters promised to pay all the bills (electric and water) as they become due.

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. I said that I would ask the owner how he wanted to proceed.

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. I also told then that they could not live at the property rent free.

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. I asked them if they would be willing to carry out some works that needed doing

. at the house in exchange for free rent and they agreed.

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. I also let the squatters know that the house was currently for sale and if it sold

. that would have to move out, the squatters agreed.

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. As we were leaving the lady gave my Wife a big bag of fruit, mainly grapes and apples.

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. In the evening I phoned the owner of the property and he agreed to let them stay

. in return for some work on the house. The squatters were over joyed at the news.

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. But, this is a current case so lets see how it pans out over the next few months.

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. A work schedule is being put together and visits arranged so we can monitor

. any work done and check the receipts for the Utilitiy bills.

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