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Evictions | Rough Sleepers


Evict Rough Sleepers and Trespassers from private land

Our Certificated Enforcement Agents will attend your site, serve the required legal notice, and lawfully and sympathetically remove rough sleepers to help you regain control of your property.

Eviction Service - Travellers and Trespassers



Legal Obligations and Article 8 of the Human Rights Act


Evicting Rough Sleepers and Tent Occupiers from Private Land: Human Rights & Proportionality

In recent years, the presence of individuals living in tents on private land has become a sensitive issue for landowners across the UK. This includes both logistical and legal challenges, especially when Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998—respect for private and family life—comes into play.

Enforcement must be justified and proportionate. Recent cases, such as the Metropolitan Police's unlawful action against tent dwellers ( read more ), highlight the legal and reputational risks of acting without due process.

Factors Enforcement Agents Must Consider

  • Vulnerability and Welfare: Are the occupants children, unwell, or disabled?
  • Support Services: Can they be signposted to shelters or charities?
  • Eviction Method: Has proper notice been given? Is the action humane and lawful?

Our Ethical Commitment

At UK Bailiffs, we carry out full risk assessments, respect the rights of vulnerable individuals, and ensure every action is lawful and proportionate. Our agents follow a strict code that aligns with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.

Evicting individuals in tents involves more than property law—it requires balanced, human-centred enforcement that protects everyone’s dignity.

Ethical Enforcement

“All landowners in England and Wales, whether private or local authority, have a common law right to remove trespassers from their land.”

Welcome to UK Bailiffs – Managing Unauthorised Encampments

If you're a landowner seeking to evict rough sleepers, travellers, or trespassers from private land or commercial premises, our certificated bailiffs are here to help you regain control — safely and lawfully.

We specialise in the prompt empathetic removal of rough sleepers & homeless and unauthorised occupants across England and Wales, using Common Law powers where appropriate.

Why Choose UK Bailiffs?

  • Over 19 years of experience in traveller and rough sleeper evictions
  • Common Law enforcement without court delays
  • Professional, respectful, and fully compliant with legal duties

Our certificated enforcement agents carry out risk assessments, apply only reasonable force, and always aim to resolve situations peacefully when evicting rough sleepers from your property.

What We Deliver

  • Assessment: We evaluate your site and identify the most appropriate course of action.
  • Notice: Legal notice served on-site, informing all rough sleepers and trespassers of the requirement to leave.
  • Eviction: Enforcement carried out by certificated bailiffs with dignity and professionalism.
  • Aftercare: Advice and steps to help prevent future encampments on your land.
🚀 Instruct Us To Evict Rough Sleepers

Procedures and Protocols


UK Bailiffs offers a fast, legally compliant service for removing unauthorised encampments. Our agents work professionally to resolve situations with minimal disruption.

Step-by-Step Eviction Process

  • Initial Consultation: Call us to discuss the issue, get guidance, and confirm fees.
  • Online Form: Complete a short instruction form — we prepare and issue legal documents.
  • Agent Deployment: Enforcement agents are dispatched, often within 2 hours.
  • Notice & Risk Assessment: Notices are served, and agents assess the site on arrival.
  • Strategy Options:
    • Peaceful Eviction: Reasonable deadline set for voluntary leave.
    • Extended Time: Offered if trespassers cooperate.
    • Escalation: Add agents, dog units, or recovery vehicles.
    • Full Removal: Complete site clearance as a last resort.
  • Final Enforcement: Action taken in line with the chosen approach, always legally compliant.

Eviction Options

  • Serve Only: We serve legal notice and carry out an initial assessment.
  • Serve & Observe: We remain on-site to monitor and encourage compliance.
  • Serve & Return: We return if the deadline expires without compliance.
  • Same Day Eviction: Immediate notice and enforcement action in one visit.
UK Bailiffs EA

Related Guidance

📌 Need help with tents or rough sleepers on private land? Read our full guide on Removing Occupied Tents from Private Property — covering your rights, lawful procedures, and the role of enforcement agents.


Traveller and Trespasser and Rough Sleeper Success Rate (2023-2024)

Below is the total success rate for October 2023 - October 2024 based on 97 evictions


65%

Vacated on Service

(24 hours)

33%

Evicted following

Reattendance (48 hours)

1%

Evicted After 48 hours

99%

Total Success Rate

(Based on Travellers not leaving prior to Enforcement Agents being stood down)


Trespasser Eviction FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.
  • Do I need a Court Order to remove Rough sleepers?

    Under most circumstances you do not need a Court Order to evict trespassers from your land. .


    Under Halsburys Laws of England (Paragraph 1400) it states that ‘ If a trespasser peaceably enters land, the person who is entitled to possession may request him to leave; and if he refuses to leave may remove him from the land using no more force than is reasonably necessary’.



    There are some circumstances when a Court order may be required such as they have secured premises internally, but we'll be able to advise you on that 

  • Can I just pay the travellers to leave?

    As part of our anti-bribery and corruption policy,  we  are unable to pay travellers or  trespassers to vacate and are unable to support a client who wants to do this.


    We would strongly recommend you do not pay illegal trespassers to leave as you are likely to see an increase in traveller activity at your site due to you being seen as a 'cash-cow' or easy target.


  • Can I remove the occupants myself ?

    As described above, you have a legal right to remove them yourself. However, as a landowner you are legally responsible for the welfare of any one occupying your land (legaly or not).


    We are trained and highly experienced in this. We are fully insured, experts in risk assessments, video enabled and trained negotiators.

  • Do you guarantee your services?

    No. But our likelihood of success is high. Over 15 years doing Traveller Evictions we estimate 97% are successfully concluded.


    Police, health and safety and welfare, and occasionally the instructing client are mainly responsible for the 3%

  • So, you just turn up and start removing everyone?

    No.  Most people from the travelling community are reasonable people and the majority are not criminally minded.


    We serve notice that they must leave immediately (or as agreed with you)


    We then give them reasonable time to vacate. Usually this is up to 2 hours.


    During this time, we monitor behaviour and ensure they are preparing to move.


    If they are being reasonable, we may negotiate extra time, however if they are non-compliant or refusing to leave then we will look at escalating the situation.

  • Do you carry out risk assessments?

    In line with the Health and Safety at Work 1999 legislation, you have a legal duty to assess risks and to protect the safety of everyone involved in the eviction process.


    We carry out a Generic risk assessment on first attendance and will then relay our recommendation back to you.  We will provide you immediately with our Agents report.  Throughout the eviction process, we will constantly reassess the eviction and modify our actions to manage any risks.

  • Are you insured ?

    We hold Public liability, Public Indemnity and Employees Liability Insurance?



    Copies of which can be requested through our recovery manager

  • Do you provide security/clean up services

    Yes. We can provide security for the site (static / mobile or dog patrols) to ensure your land is secure overnight and we can arrange for contractors to attend to clean up the site if required. Just ask when you phone or request it on the on-line form

  • Why should we use you ?

    We only ever use Certificated Enforcement Agents to carry out evictions, a lot of companies now, unfortunately use un-trained security personnel.



    All of our agents are ; 


    self employed, 

    carry body worn CCTV equipment, 

    have a minimum 2 years experience in the industry,

    are trained negotiators

    have on-street and/or classroom training

    have successfully carried out evictions.

    Are regularly DBS and financially checked.

    We pay our Agents well above the national average meaning they want to keep working for us which motivates them to do the best job possible for you.



    We carry Public Liability, Indemnity and Employees Liability insurance to a minimum of £10 million in addition all Agents carry a personal bond of £10,000

  • Are there other options available to us?

    Yes. Below is a list of all current lawful methods for removing trespassers 



    Common law powers (This method)



    • can only be used by the landowner 


    • are used to regain possession of land; 


    • does not require the involvement of the courts; 


    • enforced by the landowner and Enforcement Agents where necessary; 


    • does not provide any sanctions offence for the return of trespassers onto land



    Part 55 Civil Procedures Rules 



    • can only be used by the landowner; 


    • is used to regain possession of land; 


    • requires attendance in Court; 


    • possession is enforced by county court bailiffs, where necessary; 


    • does not provide any sanctions for the return of trespassers onto land.



     


    Sections 77-78 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 



    • can only be used by a local authority; 


    • can be used on any land within the local authority’s area, irrespective of ownership; 


    • is used to remove identified individuals from land; 


    • only require the involvement of the courts when unauthorised campers do not leave when directed to do so; 


    • possession is enforced by local authority officers or Enforcement Agents employed by the local authority; 


    • the return of unauthorised campers and/or their vehicles to the location within three months carries criminal sanctions.



     


    Sections 61-62 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994



    • can only be used by the police; 


    • can be used on any land except the highway; 


    • is used to remove identified individuals and/or their vehicles from land; 


    • there must be two or more persons trespassing on the land before the power can be used; 


    • do not require the involvement of the courts;


    • possession is enforced by the police; 


    • the return of unauthorised travellers/ trespassers  to the location within three months carries criminal sanctions.




    Section 62A-E Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 



    • can only be used where an alternative site is available; 


    • can only be used by the police; 


    • can be used on any land; 


    • is used to remove identified individuals and/or their vehicles from the land; 


    • does not require the involvement of the courts; • possession is enforced by the police; 


    • the return of unauthorised travellers / trespassers to the local authority area within three months carries criminal sanctions.




    Government Guidance on Travellers 

  • I have more questions

    No Problem.  


    You can phone us on 0330 133 1818

    or email 


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