Squatter who won battle over dead woman’s home sells it for huge profit

A British construction worker, Keith Best, gained legal ownership of an empty home in London’s Newbury Park through an ancient Roman law allowing possession without title if the original owner doesn’t claim it. 

Best spotted the house in 1997, renovated it, and moved in with his family in 2012. The property originally belonged to Colin Curtis, who moved out in the late 1990s. Best filed for adverse possession, initially denied due to squatting laws, but the High Court overturned the decision in 2014, granting him ownership. The judge ruled that over 10 years had passed without effective action by the owner. Best has now sold the property for a profit.

For more information see Emma Colton “Squatter who won battle over dead woman’s home sells it for huge profit”, Fox News, December 9, 2023.