Increased incidence of squatting in empty homes/rental homes

[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.

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 I think FL recently repealed theirs.

[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.

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.

Here’s an article on the Florida law. I think the trick is that, even in Southern states that do have squatter’s rights laws, it’s still easier to get a squatter out than in a jurisdiction like NY, even if it takes some process.

https://weartv.com/news/local/florida-lawmakers-pass-bill-to-revoke-squatters-rights-protect-property-owners#

[Anonymous]

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.

It's a really short amount of time actually, shocking. Some people are retired and go elsewhere for months at a time, some people have a relative die out of state and cannot deal with a sale right away.... I think squatter laws need to go entirely. They are not good for anyone.

[Anonymous]

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.

It's a really short amount of time actually, shocking. Some people are retired and go elsewhere for months at a time, some people have a relative die out of state and cannot deal with a sale right away.... I think squatter laws need to go entirely. They are not good for anyone.

30 days really is a short time for many retired people or people with second homes that don't visit them during some seasons. I don't understand how police aren't arresting more squatters for trespassing. I feel like this problem is going to get way worse before laws are finally changed.

[Anonymous]

This is another incidence in which laws need to be changed. Long term incarcerate for those breaking and entering.

[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.

It's a really short amount of time actually, shocking. Some people are retired and go elsewhere for months at a time, some people have a relative die out of state and cannot deal with a sale right away.... I think squatter laws need to go entirely. They are not good for anyone.

30 days really is a short time for many retired people or people with second homes that don't visit them during some seasons. I don't understand how police aren't arresting more squatters for trespassing. I feel like this problem is going to get way worse before laws are finally changed.

Because equity. The laws are not on the mortgage payer and tax payer and citizen's side.

[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.

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 land in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida owned by African Americans does not have clear title and the African Americans have many times owned the land since the 1860's or earlier. These families have been on the land for generations.

These are completely different situations from randos who break into your house that has a clear title.

[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.

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.

I honestly don't understand how this is possible. How can this be allowed for the rightful owner?

Laws lean to the left. The rightful owner, taxpayer, mortgage payer has less rights.

[Anonymous]

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 land in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida owned by African Americans does not have clear title and the African Americans have many times owned the land since the 1860's or earlier. These families have been on the land for generations.

These are completely different situations from randos who break into your house that has a clear title.

Well, exactly. But the problem is that modern day squatters are exploiting these old statutes. Which is why FL changed theirs.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

What has the world come to when homeless people are moving into empty houses.

But seriously, alarm system, big mean dog(s), not worried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What has the world come to when homeless people are moving into empty houses.

But seriously, alarm system, big mean dog(s), not worried.

These squatters aren't really "homeless" of the kind you see living in tents under the highway. The vast majority of homeless people have genuine drug/alcohol addictions and mental problems. The squatters being discussed here are grifters abusing the system to avoid paying rent. There's a whole element of society that's competent enough but refuses to be law abiding or do the decent thing.

[Anonymous]

People even do this on Airbnb move in don’t move out

[Anonymous]

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.

It's a really short amount of time actually, shocking. Some people are retired and go elsewhere for months at a time, some people have a relative die out of state and cannot deal with a sale right away.... I think squatter laws need to go entirely. They are not good for anyone.

Columbia University gave a course on how to exploit the laws to squat

[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.

It's a really short amount of time actually, shocking. Some people are retired and go elsewhere for months at a time, some people have a relative die out of state and cannot deal with a sale right away.... I think squatter laws need to go entirely. They are not good for anyone.

Columbia University gave a course on how to exploit the laws to squat

Seriously? Link? That's disgusting. I can see it being taught academically from a legal/historical perspective, but a how to?