Squatting Information on the Web

7) Services

Services such as electricity, water and gas cannot be legally denied to you as long as the wiring and plumbing etc. is still intact. To get them connected all that is usually required is a phone call to the appropriate company, and a work or estate agent number as a character reference. Nevertheless, corporate service providers sometimes make it difficult for squatters to have access to these services so, again, be assertive and demand access if need be. Try not to tell the corporate service providers that you are squatting and always check (and where possible, repair) plumbing and wiring before applying for connection. If they are making it difficult for you to have access to services, an assertive reminder of department policy will often help.

Always check – and where possible repair – the plumbing and wiring before applying for a connection [see the ‘maintenance’ section in this site]. If parts are damaged beyond what you are capable of learning to repair, and services are unavailable until repairs are made, then you may need the services of a tradesperson. Again, try not to let tradespeople know that you are squatting because they may assume that you are not going to pay them, and so refuse you service.

Water

The water is usually connected. If it isn’t, find the mains/water meter tap (usually at the front or back of the building) and turn the tap on. This is usually all that is needed to restore the water to the building. If not, call up the corporate water provider in your area, open an account and get the mains turned back on. This means that every three months or so you will have to pay for a bill for water consumption.

The owner should be paying water rates on the premises. However, some owners who leave buildings empty also neglect to pay rates. Failure to pay rates will often result in the water being turned off at the mains. If this is the case, the corporate water provider will usually reconnect it if you agree to pay off some of the outstanding bill – sometimes even as little as $10. Alternatively, you may be able to negotiate to pay the rates for the amount of time that you are there. This will probably mean explaining that you are squatting and have no contact with the owner. If you are in contact with the owner and they won’t pay the rates, then you may be able to negotiate an arrangement to pay it – perhaps on the assuarnce that you can stay there for a certain period of time. If an agreement to stay and pay some rates is made between you and the owner, try and get it confirmed in writing as it could be used as evidence of an implied license for you to stay until the end of the agreed period.

Electricity

If the wiring is ok then you have a legal right to electricity. Sometimes you will have to provide I.D and something to prove that you are a legitimate resident (such as a lease). Here, a good story (eg, busy moving in and need to warm the baby’s bottle ie need electricity TODAY!) will often go a long way and get you connected without I.D.

The situation with getting the electricity connected will vary from corporate provider to corporate provider. Call them up anonymously with a hypothetical example (I’m about to move in to a place that needs the power to be put on. What will I need to do and what kind of I.D will I need to provide etc ? ) to see what is required.

If it turns out that the electricity cannot be turned on – for example, due to an irreparably damaged main fuse box – then don’t despair. Solar cells, car batteries, candles and kerosene heaters (used responsibly) can all go some way to making life very possible without mains electricity. Be creative!

Gas

Again, if all is fine then they are obliged to connect you.

Telephone

If all of the lines are still intact, an account can be organized over the phone. If there has been damage, then a time can be made for some company employees to come and reinstall the line. Costs vary according to the extent of the damage and the amount of work that they have to do. Again, it helps to make a hypothetical call in order to sound out what the particular corporate provider will require in terms of I.D, address details and deposit etc.

Important Legal Stuff

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