Excluded Occupiers(EO)

Excluded Occupiers (EO) are a special category of tenant within the UK housing system which have been subject to a range of legal protections since the late 1990s. EO are defined as people who occupy a dwelling without the landlord’s explicit agreement, such as squatters and licensees, and are therefore not subject to the standard legal framework that is usually applied to tenancies.

The purpose of the Excluded Occupiers (EO) legislation is to protect people in vulnerable circumstances who occupy a dwelling without the explicit agreement of the landlord. EO are granted a range of rights and protection, including the right to remain in occupation of the property, and protection from eviction. If an EO has been in occupation of a property for longer than 12 months, they are also entitled to a secure tenancy with a landlord.

The scope of Excluded Occupiers (EO) legislation applies to dwellings which are owned by a landlord, including private landlords and local