Squatting stories

About

Whether motivated by necessity, politics, or often both, people have made homes by squatting empty properties for centuries. Seeing home as a right rather than a commodity, the squatting movement spread widely in the 1970s, fuelled by a lagging economy and an abundance of empty homes.

Squatting declined following its criminalisation in 2012, but for many squatters, this disruptive form of protest against the capitalist system of home ownership remains worth the risks.

This constellation of stories highlights squatted homes across London from the 1940s to today. As community centres, family homes or party spaces, squats have remained creative and political hubs where domesticity can be redefined.

Objects to look out for

A teapot like this one served as the piggy bank of a Gay Liberation Front commune in Notting Hill in the 1970s. Julian H recalls sharing a big space with 12 to 17 other gay men, ‘with no personal possessions, no personal clothes, no personal money and beds, mattresses all the way around the corner.’

Bizarre’ Teapot, Credit: Tian Khee Siong

Ewa S: A screwdriver set like this ‘was gifted to us by one of the fellow squatters who was about to leave the country and did not need it anymore. It was a most precious gift we could receive and brought us much luck. … They would usually sit in “essentials good” backpacks located in the individual squatters’ rooms always ready in case of eviction.’

ASS is a non-profit advisory group founded in 1975, growing out of the former Family Squatters Advisory Services. Since its inception, the organisation has provided daily guidance and support to squatting communities.

ASS has produced 14 editions of the Squatters’ Handbook, which became an essential companion to squatters on their home-making journey. ASS kindly donated most of the handbook’s editions to help us tell a fuller story of the history of Home.

You can read through some of the manual editions dating back to 1975 and see the evolution of their guidance which parallels to the tightening of laws against squatting.

Advisory Services for Squatters’ Archive can be consulted at the Bishopsgate Institute.

Read the Squatters’ Handbooks

Cartoon showing people repairing and occupying a damaged building, with figures on ladders, rooftops, and looking out of windows. Posters on the building read 'The law z', 'The ss', 'Useful contacts', and 'repairs'.

Squatters’ Handbook, 3rd Edition, December 1975, Published by Islington Squatters

Person climbing up the side of a brick building, holding onto a ledge and placing a foot on a drainpipe. Bold text at the top reads ‘Squatters’ Handbook’; ‘30p’ appears to the right.

Squatters’ Handbook, 6th Edition, June 1979, Published by Advisory Services for Squatters

By the facade of a brick building, a ladder reaches a second-floor window. Four people on the ground hold the ladder while one person climbs it, and another stands by the window holding the top of the ladder. Text curved in a circle in the top right corner reads ‘Squatters Handbook’ with ‘40p’ in the centre; ‘7th Edition’ appears in the bottom right corner.

Squatters’ Handbook, 7th Edition, August 1981, Published by Advisory Services for Squatters

Person with short hair in a leather jacket using a screwdriver on a door. Text curved in a circle in the top right corner reads ‘Squatters Handbook’, with ‘50p’ in the centre; ‘8th edition’ appears in the bottom right corner

Squatters’ Handbook, 8th Edition, May 1985, Published by Advisory Services for Squatters

Four black-and-white cartoon panels. Top left: a person stands in front of a wall with graffiti reading ‘Homes for all.’ Top right: two people support a piece of furniture being lifted with ropes. Bottom left: a person stands in front of a wall with a sign reading ‘B+B stinks.’ Bottom right: two people carry a mattress outside a building, while two others look at a paper labeled ‘plan’ in front of the building.

Squatters’ Handbook, 9th Edition, June 1987, Published by Advisory Services for Squatters

A door shut, set in a brick wall with metal shutters on both sides. Bold red text across the bottom reads ‘Squatters Handbook’; smaller text in the lower right corner says ‘11th Edition £1’

Squatters’ Handbook, 11th Edition, January 2001, Published by Advisory Services for Squatters

An installation view of A Townhouse in 1878 at the Museum. A deep red carpet and mint green patterned wall paper room holds framed artworks on the wall, fireplace and a mirror on the mantel, table with wooden chairs, writing desk, and piano. On the floor are children's toys and dolls as well as an ayah's trunk full of textiles.

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