Occupazione Abusiva (Illegal Occupation)

The unauthorized taking possession of a property by someone who has no title or permission. This can refer to squatting – e.g., an occupazione abusiva di immobile where individuals break in and reside without any lease or ownership. It can also refer to a tenant remaining after lease termination without consent. Such occupation is illegal and can be addressed by a court-ordered eviction. In recent times, the Italian government has been increasing penalties for squatting (introducing specific crimes for those who occupy others’ residences) . For an owner, an illegal occupier is a serious issue: the owner must go through legal channels (a civil procedure, or criminal complaint if it’s a squat) to regain possession, which can take time. Properties left vacant for long are at higher risk, so owners often install alarms or have someone check periodically. When buying, it’s wise to ensure the property is delivered free of occupants (libero al rogito).