Another good thing by Florida's legislators, DeSantis will sign and it changes the game on dealing with Squatters.

Link



Bill to Evict Squatters Immediately Passes Unanimously Sparking ‘Positive Hope’ Among Property Owners

The state of Florida has recently passed a bill unanimously that introduces a new approach to handling squatting.

This legislation permits law enforcement to evict squatters immediately, bypassing the often lengthy and complicated court proceedings that are typically required. This is a significant shift in how squatting cases are addressed, aiming to provide a quicker resolution for property owners facing such issues.

I think Georgia is working in the same thing.

I am confounded that this crap is legal anywhere in the United States. Regarding the laws as they currently exist- whatever they intend, they are simply fucked up. Any law that allows this squatter stuff to go on is just plain fucked up. I don't care what the laws are intended to do. Fucked. Up.

^^^
101%

I can understand going through an eviction with a tenant who signed a lease.

It's bullshit that some douchebag who breaks into the property, changes the locks, and starts living there is given legal rights and has to be evicted. It's trespassing and LEOs should be able to drag their ass out in handcuffs with zero prior court involvement.

The nightmare that I know about is a homeowner who decided to be "nice" and let a bum live in a shed on their property. It was all cool, until they wanted the bum to leave. The bum had received mail with his name on it at said address, and he used this mail as "legal proof" that he really lived there and was entitled to stay.

It gets worse, the bum somehow got a restraining order against the homeowner, so the homeowner could no longer go home.

These are not the days of ex-Portland Mayor Bud Clark who 40 years ago had a homeless guy live under his porch for years, and it was cool and nobody cared. Those days are long gone.

Entitled to stay?

On what grounds? Is his name on the deed / title? Mortgage? Insurance? Utilities? Rental agreement?
Anything remotely associated to the property?

If not, GTFO.

I hope so. I've read the bill, and it looks pretty good. I just hope that the sheriffs have the bandwidth and desire to do it.

if the cops won't the people will

the cops may not be happy, but the problem will be solved one way or another

^^^

Homeowner: "Well, that squatter now has a permanent place to stay under that mound of dirt back there by the big oak tree..."

I have NEVER understood why squatters weren't immediately arrested and charged with breaking & entering and trespassing.

They enter those properties illegally and stay their illegally.

Get enough bleeding hearts into a position to make laws and that is the kind of crap you end up with. Good for Florida!

If I ever came home to find some toad trying to take up residence on my property and refused to leave, they would regret it completely and utterly.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
If I ever came home to find some toad trying to take up residence on my property and refused to leave, they would regret it completely and utterly.

And probably immediately, I imagine.

The 1990 movie Pacific Heights depicts, pretty accurately, I think, how difficult it can be to evict a squatter. Well, through legal means, anyway.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,

Classic film. Eviction not squatting. Great perfomances by all.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I can understand going through an eviction with a tenant who signed a lease.

It's bullshit that some douchebag who breaks into the property, changes the locks, and starts living there is given legal rights and has to be evicted. It's trespassing and LEOs should be able to drag their ass out in handcuffs with zero prior court involvement.

This is how it is handled in Kentucky.
Not on the lease, doesn’t matter if you have lived there for 50 years. The lease holder wants you out, good day.

Not on the deed of owned property (unless you are married) the owner wants you out. GOOD DAY!!
Doesn’t matter if you get mail there, pay the bills.

Name not on the lease or deed. Goodbye!!

Now if there is a lease in place the owner must go through the eviction process.

Makes life so very simple.

Are you on the lease? Are you the owner of the property? Simple yes or no questions.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
I have NEVER understood why squatters weren't immediately arrested and charged with breaking & entering and trespassing.

They enter those properties illegally and stay their illegally.

They are here.
Been at this 18 years and have had one instance of someone claiming squatters rights.
They were quickly informed there is no such thing. They were charged with Burglary.

The only way adverse possession is possible in Kentucky is if someone lives on property continuously for 15 years AND THEY PAY the taxes continuously for those 15 years.

So if the property owner is paying the taxes there is no possible way for adverse possession.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
^^^

Homeowner: "Well, that squatter now has a permanent place to stay under that mound of dirt back there by the big oak tree..."

Hey, it's Florida. No digging required. Just take the moron for a boat ride.

That they even need a new law to deal with this is a sad commentary.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
That they even need a new law to deal with this is a sad commentary.

This problem is an outgrowth of the unintended consequences of poorly written, overzealous tenant protection laws in some states.

A very low bar for what qualifies as legal residency, clunky or nonfunctional eviction processes, and HUGE, life changing penalties for unlawful evictions. The squatters are pros and know how to work the system. Put them out on your own and the law is on their side.

Have a situation locally where squatters have occupied a home in an older but decent neighborhood. Crack/meth heads supposedly. Stealing power and water. Cops been called numerous times by the neighbors. Can't do anything
about it.