What are Squatters?
Squatters are people who occupy abandoned or disused spaces that do not belong to them. By definition, squatters occupy a space without permission, and the legal status of squatters around the world is often contentious. The environments occupied by squatters vary, from abandoned warehouses in commercial districts to huge shanty towns on the fringes of major cities in the developing world. The practice of squatting is ancient. From the time that people have laid claim to specific plots of land and buildings, people without real estate have occupied such spaces, both legally and illegally. From the point of view of squatters, they are utilizing space in the most efficient way possible, and obtaining housing cheaply. From the point of view of the landlord, squatters can be viewed as a threat or menace, especially if they contribute to the deterioration of a property. In some nations, squatters are protected by law. In fact, if squatters can hold a piece of land or a house for a set perio