Increased incidence of squatting in empty homes/rental homes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can a law be written to more easily evict squatters such that it cannot also be used against the owner/lawful resident? Maybe it needs to be tailored to apply only to individual homeowners?

Require that any homeowner offering an home for rent notify the local government and provide contact information. Then, require that all rental agreements be filed with the local government - can be done by one or both sides. If an agreement has not been filed, it’s not enforceable and rights revert to the homeowner. Also offer owners the opportunity to file a “not for rent” notice that would prevent squatter claims.

In our "digital age", this should be easy as pie. Amazing how anachronistic both our municipal laws and operations are. Shouldn't all these housing commissions be looking at stuff like this?????

I’m sorry but no. Having worked on government registry systems, having a rental registry is completely infeasible.

[Anonymous]

Why is this even possible?

This is not hard to solve.

Require a notarized contract signed by both parties for all leases.

Require agreement forms from all utilities to be signed by both the owner and renter.

That at it is impossible to squat of you make it impossible to have legit utilities and rental agreements that aren't so easily forged. Squatters should get the death sentence.

[Anonymous]

This is just infuriating.

In Georgia......

Charles and Charmaine Allman lived in the same Stone Mountain, Ga. home — located 16 miles east of Atlanta — for the last two decades before officials told the couple Tuesday that they no longer owned the house and had to vacate.

“They made us feel like we were squatters,” Charmaine Allman told WSB-TV. “Just tossed my stuff out like it was trash.”

Most of the couple’s belongings were scattered all over the yard.

The outlet reported that an anonymous man allegedly falsified a deed and submitted the documents online with Dekalb County to claim ownership of the Allman’s home.

The new homeowner told the couple he had purchased the home from a foreclosure.

Charles Allman, who refused to leave when asked, was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant filed on March 13, according to jail records viewed by The Post.

“I don’t know how this is possible,” Charmaine Allman about her husband’s arrest. “How does this happen, period? It’s very upsetting to see my husband in handcuffs at 77 years old and placed in the car because he didn’t want to leave his home. He has nowhere to go. No family.”

Charles Allman was released from jail Thursday evening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can a law be written to more easily evict squatters such that it cannot also be used against the owner/lawful resident? Maybe it needs to be tailored to apply only to individual homeowners?

Require that any homeowner offering an home for rent notify the local government and provide contact information. Then, require that all rental agreements be filed with the local government - can be done by one or both sides. If an agreement has not been filed, it’s not enforceable and rights revert to the homeowner. Also offer owners the opportunity to file a “not for rent” notice that would prevent squatter claims.

What needs to happen is these laws need to favor the homeowner and they should be able to force a squatter out without consequences. Sheriff in FL reminded people there they can do exactly that as well as shoot if needed, to defend their property.

[Anonymous]

we really need to crack down on squatters and renters, it's gone too far where it's making everything expensive for those who are not scum bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is just infuriating.

In Georgia......

Charles and Charmaine Allman lived in the same Stone Mountain, Ga. home — located 16 miles east of Atlanta — for the last two decades before officials told the couple Tuesday that they no longer owned the house and had to vacate.

“They made us feel like we were squatters,” Charmaine Allman told WSB-TV. “Just tossed my stuff out like it was trash.”

Most of the couple’s belongings were scattered all over the yard.

The outlet reported that an anonymous man allegedly falsified a deed and submitted the documents online with Dekalb County to claim ownership of the Allman’s home.

The new homeowner told the couple he had purchased the home from a foreclosure.

Charles Allman, who refused to leave when asked, was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant filed on March 13, according to jail records viewed by The Post.

“I don’t know how this is possible,” Charmaine Allman about her husband’s arrest. “How does this happen, period? It’s very upsetting to see my husband in handcuffs at 77 years old and placed in the car because he didn’t want to leave his home. He has nowhere to go. No family.”

Charles Allman was released from jail Thursday evening.

The squatter falsified a deed and government accepted it. Good LORD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this even possible?

This is not hard to solve.

Require a notarized contract signed by both parties for all leases.

Require agreement forms from all utilities to be signed by both the owner and renter.

That at it is impossible to squat of you make it impossible to have legit utilities and rental agreements that aren't so easily forged. Squatters should get the death sentence.

Do you know how easy it is to get things notarized?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is just infuriating.

In Georgia......

Charles and Charmaine Allman lived in the same Stone Mountain, Ga. home — located 16 miles east of Atlanta — for the last two decades before officials told the couple Tuesday that they no longer owned the house and had to vacate.

“They made us feel like we were squatters,” Charmaine Allman told WSB-TV. “Just tossed my stuff out like it was trash.”

Most of the couple’s belongings were scattered all over the yard.

The outlet reported that an anonymous man allegedly falsified a deed and submitted the documents online with Dekalb County to claim ownership of the Allman’s home.

The new homeowner told the couple he had purchased the home from a foreclosure.

Charles Allman, who refused to leave when asked, was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant filed on March 13, according to jail records viewed by The Post.

“I don’t know how this is possible,” Charmaine Allman about her husband’s arrest. “How does this happen, period? It’s very upsetting to see my husband in handcuffs at 77 years old and placed in the car because he didn’t want to leave his home. He has nowhere to go. No family.”

Charles Allman was released from jail Thursday evening.

It is maddening. And in Georgia, the homeowner may have gotten off faster by just shooting the guy.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just infuriating.

In Georgia......

Charles and Charmaine Allman lived in the same Stone Mountain, Ga. home — located 16 miles east of Atlanta — for the last two decades before officials told the couple Tuesday that they no longer owned the house and had to vacate.

“They made us feel like we were squatters,” Charmaine Allman told WSB-TV. “Just tossed my stuff out like it was trash.”

Most of the couple’s belongings were scattered all over the yard.

The outlet reported that an anonymous man allegedly falsified a deed and submitted the documents online with Dekalb County to claim ownership of the Allman’s home.

The new homeowner told the couple he had purchased the home from a foreclosure.

Charles Allman, who refused to leave when asked, was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant filed on March 13, according to jail records viewed by The Post.

“I don’t know how this is possible,” Charmaine Allman about her husband’s arrest. “How does this happen, period? It’s very upsetting to see my husband in handcuffs at 77 years old and placed in the car because he didn’t want to leave his home. He has nowhere to go. No family.”

Charles Allman was released from jail Thursday evening.

The squatter falsified a deed and government accepted it. Good LORD

Wait until you hear about this guy:

[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.

It sounds like the squatters pretend they’re renting with a fake lease so it wouldn’t matter who was paying the property taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just infuriating.

In Georgia......

Charles and Charmaine Allman lived in the same Stone Mountain, Ga. home — located 16 miles east of Atlanta — for the last two decades before officials told the couple Tuesday that they no longer owned the house and had to vacate.

“They made us feel like we were squatters,” Charmaine Allman told WSB-TV. “Just tossed my stuff out like it was trash.”

Most of the couple’s belongings were scattered all over the yard.

The outlet reported that an anonymous man allegedly falsified a deed and submitted the documents online with Dekalb County to claim ownership of the Allman’s home.

The new homeowner told the couple he had purchased the home from a foreclosure.

Charles Allman, who refused to leave when asked, was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant filed on March 13, according to jail records viewed by The Post.

“I don’t know how this is possible,” Charmaine Allman about her husband’s arrest. “How does this happen, period? It’s very upsetting to see my husband in handcuffs at 77 years old and placed in the car because he didn’t want to leave his home. He has nowhere to go. No family.”

Charles Allman was released from jail Thursday evening.

The squatter falsified a deed and government accepted it. Good LORD

Yep. And, arrested the homeowner.

Squatters should get good long sentences. Pay restitution.

Until people see that it doesn't pay to commit this crime.... and it IS a crime..... it will continue.