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Land tenure system in Sierra Leone has been an age long challenge our forefathers have faced and had fought for during their days. Even though, the tension of such fights has decreased lately, it doesn’t dispute the fact that there have been cases where Squatters and alleged landowners going into Court fight over who own the land/property.
The ability of private landowners to reclaim their land and assets that have been squatters’ illegally occupied or encroached upon is one of the most hazardous challenges in Sierra Leone today.
In Sierra Leone, it is expensive to file a lawsuit to reclaim land and other assets. However, despite a court ruling allowing the legal owner to reclaim their land and property, they are frequently greeted with violent resistance from squatters and encroachers whose regard for the law and the rule of law is nonexistent.
On this regard and following up to the squatters law in Sierra Leone, it has been passed by law that when someone lives in your house or on your land for 12 years without paying rent, he/she can legally lay claim to your property.
As many squatters who after knowing about this law wanted to take advantage of their position, many Sierra Leoneans who have had experience on the said law have reacted saying, there are other criteria the squatter has to fulfill before the law fully favours him/her.
“It’s not as easy at it appears.There are several conditions which are to be fulfilled for the laches and acquiescence/squatters’s right to be deemed effective.” Francis Turay commented to the aforementioned law.
This law has got Landlords into much pondering on ways to secure their properties away from squatters and unpaid tenants. One way to calm their nerves amidst this law is to request payments of each tenants or squatter in their house with records kept for future reference.
With controversies on Social media on the strings that are attached before. Squatter can lay claim ownership to someone’s property, one thing that is certain is that, there is a law protecting squatters at your property and might be able to claim your property if he met all the requirements.
Stay glue as we bring you more details on the strings attached to qualifying squatters to own a land/property after staying in it for over 12 years.
