Increased incidence of squatting in empty homes/rental homes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can a pet sitter or house sitter do this? What would prevent them from staying on? This whole thing is so weird. I knew squatting was a huge problem in England in the 70s (not sure if their laws have changed). I had no idea it was prevalent in America. How would one get the laws changed in the DMV? These folks are trespassers.

Yes. Plenty of people have had significant others move in after like a week of dating and couldn't get them out. Claimed squatter's rights.

What a nightmare. How do we get these archaic laws changed?! Unreal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you own the property, you should be able to tell anyone renting or squatting to get out based on the lease agreement you all signed. If there are no lease agreements they are guests and have no rights to stay in your home.

The problem is squatters forge leases and create fake ones. The cops then say there is nothing they can do and take them to court. It takes months to years to get them out then.
It's absurd.

The problem is we live in a lawless society and people know they can get away with just about anything these days. This is the consequence, no respect for the sanctity of law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

From one of the articles:

In Georgia, a property owner who left to care for his sick wife returned to learn that interlopers had moved in and changed the locks on his home, and he’s not allowed to kick them out.

Some states have very old “squatters rights” laws that were meant to protect people (often African American) who occupied land for generations and paid the taxes, etc. but never had the paperwork done for legal title. Texas Monthly had an interesting article related to this recently. These laws are being exploited by squatters. I think FL recently repealed theirs.

A lot of beach development in SC is on land that was stolen from Black owners that way.

It's happening in Loudoun County now.

Who has been paying the taxes on the house and land the whole time? That's who I would side with.

Show me where this is happening in Loudoun County.

This is an important story. The media should investigate. Civil rights lawyers should go after the responsible parties and assist the black owners to get restitution. It is not for me to say where the property is located.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can a pet sitter or house sitter do this? What would prevent them from staying on? This whole thing is so weird. I knew squatting was a huge problem in England in the 70s (not sure if their laws have changed). I had no idea it was prevalent in America. How would one get the laws changed in the DMV? These folks are trespassers.

Yes. Plenty of people have had significant others move in after like a week of dating and couldn't get them out. Claimed squatter's rights.

What a nightmare. How do we get these archaic laws changed?! Unreal.

The problem is leftist governments don’t believe in property rights. So to them, you owning the home IS the problem.

[Anonymous]

The death of the woman in NYC murdered by squatters will likely cause some movement on the laws THERE. Why does it need to take a horrific tragedy? Why can't we have preemptive FL like reforms in the DMV? Is any politician speaking to this??

[Anonymous]

We take frequent vacations. Looking at security systems for our next house--no trespassing signs. video monitoring outside and some inside spaces, alarms on all entrances and egresses. Hopefully we could catch someone in/close to the act and it would be a criminal matter/trespassing/break in?

[Anonymous]

As far as I can tell, all of the stuff about “squatters’ rights” in this thread is all entirely BS fear mongering.

In DC, “squatters’ rights” (adverse possession) require 15 YEARS of continuous occupation. The possession must also be “actual, open, notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile.” So totally unrelated to tenants (to whom these conditions do not apply) or to people committing B&E. In California, it’s 5 years, and you must have been the one paying property taxes and you must have made improvements. In NY, it’s 10 years.

Is this thread another pre-election effort by Ivan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, all of the stuff about “squatters’ rights” in this thread is all entirely BS fear mongering.

In DC, “squatters’ rights” (adverse possession) require 15 YEARS of continuous occupation. The possession must also be “actual, open, notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile.” So totally unrelated to tenants (to whom these conditions do not apply) or to people committing B&E. In California, it’s 5 years, and you must have been the one paying property taxes and you must have made improvements. In NY, it’s 10 years.

Is this thread another pre-election effort by Ivan?

Oh ffs. Stop it with the paranoid Russian bot accusations.

The issue is not adverse possession. It’s that squatters can invoke tenants rights after 30 days, which means instead of getting the police to remove them as trespassers you have to go through housing court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

Squatters have rights in both Texas and Florida. Blue those states are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, all of the stuff about “squatters’ rights” in this thread is all entirely BS fear mongering.

In DC, “squatters’ rights” (adverse possession) require 15 YEARS of continuous occupation. The possession must also be “actual, open, notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile.” So totally unrelated to tenants (to whom these conditions do not apply) or to people committing B&E. In California, it’s 5 years, and you must have been the one paying property taxes and you must have made improvements. In NY, it’s 10 years.

Is this thread another pre-election effort by Ivan?

You missed the part where some squatters fake a lease and the owner ends up tangled in court for six months, yes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

Squatters have rights in both Texas and Florida. Blue those states are not.

Didn't FL just update the law to the owners greater benefit? Makes eminent sense in a state with so many part time vacation residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

Squatters have rights in both Texas and Florida. Blue those states are not.

Didn't FL just update the law to the owners greater benefit? Makes eminent sense in a state with so many part time vacation residents.

The sheriff stating that a homeowner can shoot (and that he hopes they do) is brilliant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

From one of the articles:

In Georgia, a property owner who left to care for his sick wife returned to learn that interlopers had moved in and changed the locks on his home, and he’s not allowed to kick them out.

Some states have very old “squatters rights” laws that were meant to protect people (often African American) who occupied land for generations and paid the taxes, etc. but never had the paperwork done for legal title. Texas Monthly had an interesting article related to this recently. These laws are being exploited by squatters. I think FL recently repealed theirs.

A lot of beach development in SC is on land that was stolen from Black owners that way.

It's happening in Loudoun County now.

Who has been paying the taxes on the house and land the whole time? That's who I would side with.

Show me where this is happening in Loudoun County.

This is an important story. The media should investigate. Civil rights lawyers should go after the responsible parties and assist the black owners to get restitution. It is not for me to say where the property is located.

Because you made it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

Squatters have rights in both Texas and Florida. Blue those states are not.

Not in Florida. Not now. Every single state should pass similar laws.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed anti-squatter legislation on Wednesday, seeking to combat individuals who illegally reside in a house that they do not own or pay rent for.

The bill would allow law enforcement to remove squatters who can’t produce a notarized lease signed by the landowner or proof that they are paying rent for the property.

Additionally, there would be penalties for individuals who produce fraudulent leases that are commonly used by squatters.

Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, sponsored HB 621 and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, championed the Senate version.

Steele brought up the work that it took to get the legislation perfected and passed unanimously in both chambers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes 30+ days for someone to establish residence. I’d hope one would know if someone has been in their house for over 39 days.

+1 It's not "go out to dinner, and then someone squats in your home". That would immediately be a B&E since they would not be able to show a valid utility bill in that time, nor would they be able to get rid of all your stuff in that amount of time.

But, yes, 30 days, that's concerning.

We are planning to spend a lot of time traveling when the kids are out of the house. I told DH that squatting is a big concern. We will have cameras in the house, and hopefully, neighbors who will keep an eye out. Or, maybe get a house alarm with a company.

It works in blue states with ridiculous laws. It does not work in red states and would be down right dangerous in stand your ground states or strong castle law states.

Squatters have rights in both Texas and Florida. Blue those states are not.

Not in Florida. Not now. Every single state should pass similar laws.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed anti-squatter legislation on Wednesday, seeking to combat individuals who illegally reside in a house that they do not own or pay rent for.

The bill would allow law enforcement to remove squatters who can’t produce a notarized lease signed by the landowner or proof that they are paying rent for the property.

Additionally, there would be penalties for individuals who produce fraudulent leases that are commonly used by squatters.

Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, sponsored HB 621 and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, championed the Senate version.

Steele brought up the work that it took to get the legislation perfected and passed unanimously in both chambers.

It's common sense legislation; I expect NY and CA to update their laws in a similar manner.

There was no need for Ronnie to make this some sort of pissing match with other states. He's such a drama queen.