No decision yet on squatting ban

MPs on Thursday agreed to delay voting on draft legislation which would outlaw squatting.


The anti-immigration PVV holds the casting vote, but says it will not vote in favour of the ban unless supporters agree to increase the maximum jail sentence for squatting to four years.
The mayors of the country’s four biggest cities are opposed to a ban, saying it would be unworkable.
Squatting is currently legal in Holland if a building has been left empty for over one year.
The draft law, which carries a maximum prison term of 32 months for offenders, would also make it easier for local authorities to take over empty buildings which had been left empty for long periods.
Squatting has long been a part of the Dutch political scene but the movement has been attacked in recent months for supporting increasing violence.
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