What factors determine whether a residential property is considered occupied?

The determination of whether a residential property is considered occupied relies significantly on the presence of the occupant's furniture and belongings. This is because the physical items within the home serve as a strong indicator that the space is being actively used as a residence. A property usually qualifies as occupied if it contains personal possessions, indicating that people are living there, as opposed to being unoccupied and merely having utilities or approvals.

The other factors, while they can contribute to the overall understanding of occupancy, are generally not definitive on their own. For example, the presence of utilities might suggest that the property is maintained but does not necessarily confirm that someone is living there. Similarly, the duration of the occupant's stay can imply occupancy, yet without furniture and belongings, it doesn't provide a complete picture of whether the property is indeed occupied. Lastly, the approval of neighbors is not a formal measure of occupancy and lacks a direct connection to the property itself.