Squatters have occupied buildings owned by Haringey Borough Council after they were left empty for two years.

The Crouch End Active Community, a group of 30 homeless people, have taken over two properties in Cranford Way Industrial Estate, in Cranford Way, which have been empty since 2011.

The council’s cabinet agreed to sell the property to the North London Waste Authority but the waste authority said the property was not suitable.

In an email to borough councillors the squatters said they would they would take care of property if they were given permission to stay.

The message said: “We are very concerned that the council will take expensive court action to repossess these properties and put us on the street.

“Since we have been in these properties we have maintained them and made them suitable for us to live in.”

Most of the members of the homeless community group are under 25 and would not qualify for housing benefit.

Since occupying the building they have started running activities including food recycling and gardening, juggling workshops, art galleries and theatre performances.

The email from the squatters added: “As the occupiers of this building we ask the owners for their permission to remain under license without malice, the terms of which we would be prepared to discuss.

“For us this is the only alternative to not sleeping rough on the streets of London, of making use of empty unused buildings, when rents are excessively high and pay is low.

“We would appreciate your help and support against eviction and homelessness.”

Liberal Democrat councillors have attacked the council for leaving buildings empty for so long that squatters have moved in.

Cllr Richard Wilson, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said: “It is disgraceful that council owned property has been left empty for two years.

“Public money has been wasted by leaving this building empty for so long and now the council will have to pay for expensive lawyers to remove the squatters.”

The opposition argued the buildings should either have been sold or knocked down so council homes could be built on the land.