New ‘squatter’ law signed in Florida as issue runs rampant nationwide

A Florida property owner tells her story about two women who allegedly squatted in one of her homes. Her ordeal is part of a rampant squatter crisis around the country, according to experts.
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[@lisettebarajas9118]

Sooo stealing a car is grand theft felony but taking someone’s house isn’t?

[@redzoom7857]

Right, crazy!

[@Adr_Jim]

Exelente point! If someone steals a BICYCLE worth $1,000 or more that's a felony in most states. But most states have no laws regarding squatters in your property. Insane.

[@Alan-sp9pd]

That's something I have wondered. Can you just take a car if it has been sitting there for a few days? Produce a fake car lease?

[@yooper2186]

Damn blacks!!

[@BobBob-ms9gt]

​@@Adr_Jim/ This is a lie we are being told. There is laws and those laws make the homeowner have all the power over squatters but the laws are not being enforced

[@SwiftySanders]

This is nuts. Falsifying a lease should be a felony charge that carries 5 years in prison.

[@Burncsb]

But what if the dude that signed the lease had no idea it was false? I think arresting him would be wrong.

[@basicinfo11252]

@@Burncsb bruh you're dim. signing a false lease is entirely different from falsifying one.

[@basicinfo11252]

​@@Burncsb if all voters are like you than the country is doomed.

[@rockhaze]

Robbing from 7-11 should have the same minimum sentence, but I bet I can't get you to agree on that.

[@sda9995]

I agree

[@julieschwartz2135]

This should be a NATIONAL LAW! Absolutely outrageous that people can enter your property, and you are helpless🤬.

[@jasonparis7103]

Id get my house back one way or another trust me😂

[@naknampucha5236]

​@michaelanderson3816 no personal obligation toward Squatters.

[@kevincallahan1201]

Sorry but they only have the right to go to jail for breaking and entering

[@kevincallahan1201]

Squatters should go squat in China's properties around the country

[@Tom-cz9op]

​@@omi_godI highly doubt anyone is intentionally keeping their property off the market. It costs money to have a property sit Vacant

[@crunchybiscuits4080]

De Santis has now changed the law for Florida If you have squatters call the sherrif and the squatters will be throw out, no more court process

[@kekerand4491]

Should be a law in all states

[@arneanka4633]

Actually, you need to go to court and sign a declaration that you are the owner and the people there are not renting from you. If you lie, your ass is on the line.

[@jeannawalton8107]

Probably the only decent thing DeSantis has ever done for Florida.

[@melted_cheetah]

He just signed the bill, he didn't come up with it.

[@kevinkevinkevin1909]

Florida has real governor who does his job.

[@palerider964]

Falsifying a lease should also be a felony.

[@Halo3Matalix]

especially because it wasn't their first time

[@janesmith9024]

In my view it is fraud - which is a crime here in the UK.

[@TheOneTrueNoName]

​@@Halo3Matalix 2nd time is Life

[@Halo3Matalix]

@@TheOneTrueNoName 100%

[@carriecarrie7975]

Agree… it’s fraud

[@athensmajnoo3661]

Wow...... Illigal occupants of my legally purchased property have more rights than I do????? What kind of law is this?

[@kevinsamuelsghost685]

Its complete lunancy

[@drsev61]

An old law, a couple hundred years old. One that needs to end quickly. It's just ridiculous.

[@nixwestlake9196]

It is INSANE

[@learobinson4450]

The concept of squatters rights comes from medieval England, when only land that was occupied or being used was taxed. Wealthy land owners would allow big swaths of land to go fallow & overgrown to avoid paying taxes. In order to collect more taxes the King allowed squatters who moved onto this land & farmed it to claim ownership as long as they paid the taxes & were in continuous occupation for a period of time, which varied from 5-20 years. Squatters rights were written into American laws during the Westward Expansion. Unfortunately what’s happening today with criminals breaking into people’s houses & moving in without the owners knowledge has nothing to do with the original idea developed in England. The houses they’re stealing aren’t really abandoned & the owners are paying taxes on the property. When the cops show up the squatters claim they’re legal tenants (they often show a fake lease) & the property owner is a mean landlord trying to illegally evict them. The cops don’t know who to believe so they tell the property owner to take the matter to civil court.

[@bluecube7247]

Americans are stupid

[@James-fo4un]

Arresting homeowners and not the squatters is absolutely ridiculous

[@chocbear8394]

That's NY where they protect the criminals not the law bidding citizens.

[@delanabunch8990]

Welcome to marxism, and thank your local Democrat! November 5, 2024 TRUMP MAGA, baby!!!

[@jeremyschmidt182]

@@delanabunch8990 This has been happening for a long time under both Rep. Trump is a criminal do you think he will fix this? I highly doubt it. More concern about Russia and Ginaa. Get it. LOL

[@parkermeme1]

Oh my God! Wake up already! 'You will have nothing and you will be happy" is it ringing a bell to you yet?!

[@tokebak4291]

The person doesnt own the home. The bank does. CRY ABOUT IT 😂

[@PrettyPettyMara]

This is insane..... you own something as EXPENSIVE as a home is... in majority of people's lives? A home will be the single, biggest purchase you will make often paying for it for the rest of your life. And to have that stolen from you for even ONE DAY let alone 1 month, 2 months etc.... is just absolutely DELUSIONAL to me.

[@NoNonsense59]

The word is “baffling” or… “perplexing”. What makes it not delusional is the fact that it is, sadly, true in the USA.

[@nathanpatera9836]

Falsifying a lease should be a felony too. If insurance fraud is a felony, lease fraud should be too. Straight up criminal.

[@vanillaoreo251]

Im surprised it isnt tbh. Itd a serious legal document

[@D.E._Sarcarean]

It already is! The problem is that police don't want to actually do their jobs. These criminals break 100 laws that are easily verifiable. For example, the police can just ask the neighbors next door if the person broke into the house. But doing any type of "investigation" is considered doing work.

[@nathanpatera9836]

@@D.E._Sarcarean From what I gather from the video they explictly said falsifying a lease is a misdemeanor?

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

@@D.E._Sarcarean That's absolutely not true; when an officer responds they have no way of knowing right then and there who is a legal occupant and who isn't given that leases can be forged. All they know is somebody dialed 911 and they're obligated to respond. This is why they tell folks to take it to court, where it can be concretely proven who is the owner and who isn't, because cops aren't lawyers. Granted this law is needed especially in situations where it is VERY clear that the occupants do not belong on a property, as it closes the loophole being exploited to save needless months of disputing easily proven fact. You still have to go to court, but this streamlines the process of getting the squatters out.

[@TryHardNewsletter]

I don’t think you understand. It is criminal, but only if the property is owned by a large corporation. THEN they get arrested for breaking and entering, vandalism, and fraud. But if Joe Bob the plumber wants to rent out half his duplex to cover property tax and insurance, corporations don’t want Joe Bob getting any big ideas, so no police protection for Joe Bob.

[@BMXIX]

Can we just take a second to appreciate the fact that Florida did something about this, and it was Bipartisan

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

Some democrats in the state legislature voted against it.

[@mitchell1786]

@@alaska-bornfloridaman Stop lying. It passed the House 108-0 and the Seanate 39-0. Not to mention the news report said it passed unanimously, although I doubt you know the definition of that.

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

@@mitchell1786 This is the third version of this bill, because democrats kept voting against a straight bill. Some even abstained from voting at all on it. I tried to post the link to it, but YT deleted it. Blue states would never pass a bill like this.

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

@@mitchell1786 ABCnews keeps deleting my tweets showing which democrats voted against this bill 3 times.

[@Epunkrockergurl]

Yes, Florida has a lot of good laws. can't wait to move there

[@Noneyasauce]

They should have actual jail time for this fraud and damage.

[@YouTubeprotectorDeestafa-zm9bx]

Cuídate de Nationwide mutual insurance company son sinvergüenzas estafadores

[@themetalhead1463]

@@omi_godSue the squatters? You can’t get blood from a stone. They have nothing to take.

[@MarcShorty23]

@@omi_godyou really think these people got money 💰 😅 good luck getting a dime from them their probably homeless plus if they flee good luck finding them lool

[@johnjeffreys6440]

This is an agenda. "You will own nothing and be happy."

[@Bailey-cx7zz]

Poverty jail? We should just split up the money so we don't have poverty.

[@dereksanchez6751]

i work in code enforcement and have seen this exact scenario happen to property owners here in California. I've heard it take up to almost a year for them to get the squatters removed. They have to go through an eviction process, once that is done they have to wait for the sheriffs department to come out and remove them. the squatters always annihilate the property beforehand.

[@fasolatedoe]

The Peoples Republic Of California (PRC) needs to revamp all the state laws.

[@sereion]

I was heated when that lady got arrested for trying to get her house back. It shouldn't have to be an act of Congress to get your home back from the squatters.

[@philpalmer4877]

This republican congress can do nothing. 🤣 Besides, it's a states issue for now.

[@kathyeyesopen4078]

@@philpalmer4877 You are Wrong! If Congress stopped playing political games they could make this a FEDERAL law!

[@sangeet9100]

@@philpalmer4877 this is clearly a problem that existed for a long time - NOT an issue of the current congress

[@carlosgarciasanchez]

​@@sangeet9100But the current House is incompetent and you can't deny that.

[@JoeGarrity]

How come you can't do the same and squat back in your own home?

[@wyattwalker9764]

My sister was hospitalized after a car accident and people moved into her home. These laws for allowing squatters are outdated and need to be brought up to date.

[@SunflowerSunset]

Omg, life really kicked her down 😭. Are they gone now?

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

Agreed. The laws exist for a reason, but they do need to be brought up to speed to expedite safely removing unlawful occupants. ESPECIALLY when it is clear they do not belong there.

[@BlueLuna5]

There's no reason for the law. They must get money somehow from it. Lawyers from law abiding citizens. They have to pay the court costs. Squatters have no money. They make the law-abiding citizens give their money, while they give freely to the criminals.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

@@BlueLuna5 That's not true. The law exists because it has a basis in English Commonlaw, and it was also used as Americans settled westward. The issue with the law is that it's largely based on societal norms from 200 years ago and doesn't account for those that deliberately seek loopholes in the system.

[@amandaturley6584]

Dont expect anything to get done with the current administration. They dont give a damn about US citizens...which is so funny because we pay them. Except when youre funnelling money with china, russia and ukraine

[@mashondaknight9132]

The number one question is, why are they covering up The squatters faces no shame them. Let everyone know who they are and then throw them in jail, this is ridiculous.

[@camallen1895]

@@omi_god well we need to change that law as well

[@markozivkovic7409]

From who? ​@@omi_god

[@helo4366]

@@omi_godnot if it is done on public property, they can stand on the sidewalk and film freely

[@ivoted-5489]

@@omi_godA photographer (or anyone) can lawfully take images of anyone in public and use that image without permission. There is NO expectation of privacy in public places.

[@johnjeffreys6440]

This is an agenda. "You will own nothing and be happy."

[@CUSTOMWORKS7.3PSD]

I haven't read the bill/law but why all 50 states haven't immediately followed this shows how messed up America has gotten !

[@jessicahayden1415]

I'd be happier if making a fake lease was a felony too.

[@zxyatiywariii8]

Exactly, because some people really believe they have a legitimate lease, because a scammer "rented" the house and took money for it, and gave them a fake lease. If someone is too quick to give a lease, it's suspicious. Most legit leases take a while to approve the new tenant, because they want to make sure the tenant will be able to pay rent and won't trash the property and run off.

[@angeladansie4378]

They did say it was a misdemeanor. But it SHOULD be a felony. Isn't theft over $1,000 a felony in most states?

[@XetaXones]

Id be happier if everyone could find adequate housing, each for their own.

[@2and26]

@@angeladansie4378I think it’s $750 in Florida

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

@@XetaXones well Airbnb has caused many people to be left homeless when their leases expired,as the owners turned it into an Airbnb ,whole blocks of flats are now being used as Airbnb and is causing a shortage of flats in some states, the video is here on youtube showing this, in Paris its now the same with the Olympics coming up,, was watching a few hours ago a piece of video on France24 how people are being told to vacate their flats when leases are up, young college students are now being the hardest hit by this,

[@chelseahoney31]

I hate that I’m a hard working, law abiding citizen, and these criminals are getting away with this mess. Stealing homes, stealing from stores, and no end in sight. This is the best thing Florida has done and all states need to follow suit.

[@ewe392]

They need to make the law only apply to individuals. Investment companies should not be owning 100 empty houses.

[@debbies7184]

​@grandmaida7819 you people will find fault in everything. Miserable

[@BobBob-ms9gt]

​@@ewe392/ If an investment company wants 100 houses with zero profit then let them

[@ewe392]

@@BobBob-ms9gt They already do that. Huge investment companies own the world, and they make their own money from nothing. They buy up real estate, hoarding empty neighborhoods. They get to control how profitable the housing market is, in times when everyone is needing to buy a home. Residents are forced to rent, they turn most of their properties into rentals run by giant companies who do not care about screwing renters over. They get full control and are able to charge top dollar. They are making their money.

[@BlueLuna5]

Make sure you don't vote Democrat then. Republicans aren't much better, but at least they don't actively help criminals like democrats. Do you see how easy they can fix it? Think about the border. Why so we have an illegal immigration/criminal/ human trafficking problem?

[@salliem424]

I had a squatter that invaded my property in Florida in 2017. I told my family about it. The next day, 6 male cousins showed up and said they were moving in. The squatter left that same day!

[@kiana9941]

Yes. I was about to say if this happened to me I'm pulling up with a whole crew and some weapons

[@flowerdoyle3749]

Could be a lucrative business........Squatter Removal Inc

[@89five3five]

@@flowerdoyle3749There is actually a company that does this.

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

Yes, I saw a special on lady who owned a home and a female squatter moved in and took over. The owner signed a lease with a team of security guards who moved in took over. Squatter moved out when big hairy guys shared her bathroom with her.

[@Max-uu2gs]

Who u gonna call.. S.Q.U A.T. busters 😂❤

[@charliehiatt1132]

I have a question, I can't hunt on someone's property or even cross their property to get to public land but I can move into their homes and stay for months or years? How in the hell does that work?

[@Kvindevognen]

Yah, be careful about that. They can shoot you on site in Texas, I think. Understandable about not letting you enter someone else’s land for hunting, though. Might be dangerous for the human occupants or their pets.

[@richrodgers9961]

I think in every state it takes some time before the tenants have any rights. If you check your property occasionally it would help a lot. There are scammers who will rent out houses they don’t own. That screws over both sides. We need better laws, but we also need reasonable housing available.

[@ThereIsHopeWithGod]

The woman for n Florida gave advice to put up No trespassing signs on the property.

[@angelaw9476]

If you can hang on for seven years in FL as a squatter the property becomes yours. Amazing how this country can't pass simply laws but coughs up billions for security and defense of any country with it's hand out.

[@liamjohnson2474]

@@angelaw9476 yeah republicans SUCK DICKS don't they?

[@Alan-sp9pd]

Ever notice that the home owners dealing with squatters are never politicians, judges or law enforcement?

[@phaedrus000]

@@ja-mez5102 Isn't that what she was trying to do when the pigs told her that if she tries to go back into her own home again they will arrest her?

[@phaedrus000]

@@ja-mez5102 1:44

[@Dario36515]

Theyre the one who allows it but if it was them the squatters would be evicted the next day and if there damages trust me theyll find a way to overdo their charges

[@SwiftySanders]

Probably need to squat on their property. Let’s see how fast we get new legislation.

[@charlesclark9627]

How is this even possible? Desantis set a precedent!

[@time4paws]

All other states need to follow suit, GOOD JOB FLORIDA!

[@FuhqEwe]

Agreed.

[@coldsoul333]

Where do I sign

[@breadfan9]

SHe was a total moron for not knowing about squatters to begin with. Does she not watch the news?

[@Postitnews2024]

This is what all states need, back in the day, police would literally get them out and moving on out of town, maybe we need harsher treatment of squatters, it is well known that they plan this act.

[@XCBen]

For real

[@Josevazquez212]

Someone steals your car, you call the police make a report, and if the criminals get caught inside your car they go to jail. That should be the same foe a house.

[@jonnyfendi2003]

U progressives wanted this. Now u mad??? Smh

[@crystallinemushroom4803]

2 psychopathic parents steal your FORESKIN and they should get arrested

[@KillTheCupcakes]

@@jonnyfendi2003when did squatters rights first start?

[@arneanka4633]

@@KillTheCupcakes Back in the times when people abandoned farmland. If you lived and improved the land, you could get a deed. It took years. In NYC, it takes 30 days and no improvement needed.

[@MrAbdi-cc1no]

you can rent a home not a car

[@janesmith9024]

It is appalling. Here in England we have now made squatting in private homes (not commercial premises) a crime but still people do it. It just offends so much our sense of justice that someone could work so very hard to buy a home and then someone just steals it! Going to court is very very expensive and 30 days mentioned on the video is much much shorter than the UK.

[@donstervintage8383]

England's politicians have destroyed the nation. Two hundred years from now a small percentage of Brits living in a Muslim nation. Your major cities are already lost.

[@dand2219]

How is squatting not grand theft? They go in your home and claim that the property is theirs when it’s not.

[@amen_ra6926]

And trash the hell out of it too.

[@GallowayJesse]

Democrats want criminals to just be able to do what they want

[@bladedspokes]

Because squatters rights laws say it is not grand theft. They are not claiming the property is theirs. They are taking advantage of the rights the law affords them with respect to the occupation of vacant properties.

[@bobmcbobbington9220]

Because they didn't steal anything. They're not taking your home somewhere. It's a house, not a car. You don't squat a car. Different concept requires different laws and regulations.

[@natalianegritto]

@@bobmcbobbington9220by that what if a person decided to sit in your car… for as long as they want?

[@juniorcampbell2980]

There needs to be a federal law against this kind of squatting crime.

[@stevemurray710]

Federal government is too big government plus California won't go for it this derailing it for everyone. Have your state government do this. Should be quicker. A key point of the constitution is that states have more power to make laws than feds. Feds are only to make laws on military, some taxes, money printing and oh yeah, the border.

[@mri3384]

There are more squatter votes than home owner votes.

[@arosenweig]

Squatters need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If you spot someone with fake documents, it’s a red flag.

[@scottandrews947]

No they don't. Squatters are just poor people who can't afford homes due to landlords and real estate investors hoarding them. Those are the real people who should be prosecuted. And you know these people are investors. If they weren't, they'd be living in the house and squatters wouldn't be able to get in.

[@shiftymcgee9359]

@@scottandrews947a thief is a thief no matter their excuse or tragic personal circumstances. Property owns aren’t required to run charities.

[@joeguiffre2480]

@@shiftymcgee9359 If a person owns multiple properties that they are keeping vacant during a housing crisis, then this is the logical outcome. I blame the current system and these owners more than I do the squatters.

[@shiftymcgee9359]

@@joeguiffre2480 I don’t own multiple homes, but if a person does it’s their right. Just because you or I can’t, doesn’t entitle anyone to their stuff. Life doesn’t work that way. Poverty isn’t an excuse for vagrancy. Feel free to move to a country where property ownership is prohibited.

[@kaseythornton8155]

if squatters want laws changed to support them, they need to rally up and speak out and put in the work, like the homeowners are doing. homeless or not. until then, what they're doing is-according to most judges-against the law.

[@plaintruth1506]

The Refusal Of Law Enforcement To Uphold Owners Rights Is Literally Criminally Insane

[@Wongseifu548]

The concept of squatters rights is nuts

[@SpotFi-d9g]

LOL. If a property is sitting, unoccupied, it is for the owner to decide next steps. Get Fked liberal SJW @@omi_god

[@livingwell5892]

​@@omi_godOnly there have been cases of families going on vacation for two weeks and coming back to their home being overtaken.

[@wfqsfg]

@@omi_god Really? So if I go on vacation for 2 weeks and I come home to squatters I should be penalized?

[@Omni25]

​you can't be this dumb. Are you really trying to justify something so absurd? @omi_god

[@Omni25]

​@omi_god are you really trying to justify this absurdity?

[@craigfowler7098]

How is this not burglary or trespassing?

[@lepayen]

Well, it is, and if someone comes along who is in charge of the property, they can have people removed. The difference is, we are not criminalizing being homeless, and there has to be an option for people who become homeless. And right now, housing the homeless should be your priority, not complaining about whether or not they're breaking the law by using a property that isn't being used.

[@mmdaa4]

@@lepayen while I agree we need to do better with the homelessness issue however there is a problem with squatting. These aren’t simply emptied abandoned houses and these aren’t simply homeless people seeking shelter. Illegally entering, living in someone’s house isn’t a solution to the problem you stating anyhow and it sure as hell shouldn’t take a home owner days/months to remove them. Breaking and entering has always been illegal, right? I also feel a “homeless” person would leave the property when found/confronted. There is also the very real problem of vandalism. Then there’s the issue of possibly causing the homeowner to also become homeless. What then?

[@lepayen]

@@mmdaa4 You don't seem to understand. You're acting like they're breaking into houses people live in and are taking over, they're not. They are squatting in abandoned properties. We aren't talking about break and enter, or properties that people live in before the squatters come along. we're talking about people using unused properties, trying to survive. That's what squatting is... It isn't what you seem to think it is. Get it straight: Squatting is when someone who doesn't have a home, takes over a property that isn't being used. Squatting is not robbing someone else of their home, like you seem to be assuming. Squatting doesn't cause someone else to become homeless. The properties squatters use are not being lived in by anyone and aren't being used or taken care of by anyone. Squatters aren't depriving anyone of anything. Try being homeless for a month or two, with no money, no place to go, having to dig in the trash for food, and having to find places to sleep. I guarantee you will look at the many abandoned houses and other buildings and think "I'd love to sleep in there".

[@withinwithout9761]

​@@lepayenmf please I've been homeless and I can survive fine this is unacceptable to think anybody can just go into a house and claim it.... but me being a homeless american I'll get arrested beat and shot over that fck u bro this is warfare

[@alroth6308]

@@lepayen only biden democrat morons think squatting and stealing from other is ok, eff such criminal promoting filth as lepayen

[@littleplakes8654]

isnt it called breaking and entering or burglary when you enter a locked house with criminal intent ? WTF is going on in our country!!!

[@WeedWitch1620]

Funny, if I try to squat in a hotel room, a storage unit or in a pet daycare facility, I would be removed for criminal trespassing.

[@jamesw6484]

It is called No country for old man now. It is pretty effed up

[@parkermeme1]

Oh my God! Wake up already! 'You will have nothing and you will be happy" is it ringing a bell to you yet?!

[@cindyjohnson1025]

People want liberalism, here it is.

[@lsfromrncforjc2254]

It’s called pandering to change the voter base. We’re discards in America now. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@NomadSupreme911]

So if I'm at home at the time it's a home invasion. If I'm not at home it's "squatting"?🤔

[@me21464]

“Right to privacy”??? ….but not on my private property!!

[@meno4054]

Right?! They have a right to privacy? It is my property. What about my privacy. This is just ridiculous. Thank you Florida.

[@jdleo18]

He is not a tenant! Funny how police can arrest people from a store for trespassing but no a residence

[@moondancer334]

Exactly, it just doesn't make sense to me at all. Or how is what they're doing not considered breaking & entering?

[@timlu697]

Scam law allow them to do so vote put in new law protected rights owner

[@skiptown22]

todays policing is mostly about protecting business.

[@GotoHere]

Or arrest someone inside a public building for trespassing.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

Cops have no way of knowing who is or who isn't a tenant, that's the thing. Leases can be falsified, papers forged, etc. That's often why this goes to court, where ownership *can* be proven. I agree that this is actually a sensible law by DeSantis, as it shouldn't take months to remove squatters swiftly and safely for all parties involved, especially when it is glaringly obvious that somebody is not a lawful occupant. At the same time, the laws exist to keep folks from just taking matters into their own hands and escalating a situation needlessly and also to protect the rights of legitimate tenants, even if they're running behind on their rent.

[@carolbradley4845]

My heart really went out to Patti. Those women that illegally took over her home were such pigs! The audacity and entitlement was off the charts and of course we all saw the damage they left behind! My advice to anyone is to install cameras. They are inexpensive and link with your cellphone. Any type of motion will activate the camera and it records sound too. I had a home for sale and a woman found a door unlocked and went on in to look around. My cameras went off and I saw her from my residence. I called my real estate agent and asked if she was showing the house. Nope. I called the police and they were there in a flash. I arrived on the scene to a woman apologizing profusely and almost in tears. I called have pressed charges for breaking and entering but did not do so. I’m sorry this cost Patti over $40,000. I’m happy they are changing the laws against these squatters.

[@maryannbravo5650]

Send them to Whoopi Goldsburgh house.

[@phd8296]

30 days tenant rule is the dumbest law ever created

[@davewalker9926]

I got rid of squatters. I advised my squatters that I wasn't evicting them, but next Saturday I was removing all the windows and doors. That next Saturday morning I showed up and my house was empty.

[@mako9673]

Awesome.

[@ms.rolltide256]

Police told me you’re not allowed to remove anything off the property even if you bought it. That he’ll arrest me 😢

[@flenif2247]

​@@ms.rolltide256Don't involve police

[@mikepatton8691]

​@@ms.rolltide256You're not allowed to remove things, change the locks or even stop the utilities. The OP would've been actually arrested if he tried to carry out his threat, so he might just be spinning a yarn. I just found out about the whole squatter issue and I couldn't believe that people could basically steal your house and the homeowner is basically legally powerless. Best way to remove the squatter under the old law would probably be to wait till the squatter leaves for work or to run errands and then you move into the house and squat your own home. Out squat the squatter lol.

[@tinawalton2208]

​@@mikepatton8691I wonder if that would work! 😂

[@EllieM_Travels]

Insane that this was not illegal in the first place! It’s trespassing, theft, forgery, fraud.

[@chickenceiling]

right but that's the problem. The police officer has no idea whether or not its fraud, that's why it has to go to civil court.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

It's a loophole in residency law that has needed closing for awhile. Those laws exist to protect occupants and to keep folks from just taking the law into their own hands, but it was by far being exploited well outside its intended scope.

[@chickenceiling]

@@sodasaintcommentaries4054 its not just a loophole. The problem is, police officers literally no not know who is lying vs who is telling the truth. What if the tenants were actual legitimate tenants and the landlord was trying to illegaly evict?

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

@@chickenceiling I don’t disagree; it’s a nuanced subject for sure. I was speaking more generally of cases where it is exceedingly clear that the occupants are there unlawfully.

[@bobmcbobbington9220]

It IS illegal, it's just not the type of illegal that a cop, for instance, can mitigate. You guys didn't watch the video.

[@ianbattles7290]

I never understood how you could get caught inside someone's house without their permission and not get arrested. Aren't there laws against breaking and entering???

[@ShadoCroc]

Murca

[@transphotography]

Unfortunately, now, breaking & entering is only a misdemeanor that doesn’t get prosecuted in court so the police don’t even waste their time with arrests. Crazy.

[@plantsplantz2116]

Like the police said : There's little they can do....... That's like on basically everything. They have been neutered

[@denverlilly3669]

It helps to understand the history, wording and nuances in law. It's never just black and white.

[@r5t6y7u8]

B&E is only a crime if you're caught in the act. Once someone lives on a property for 30 days (state laws vary) they become a *resident* and must be evicted through the courts. The police can't arrest. Be careful who you let stay in your house for a month or so. There are cases of "roommates' pulling this stunt on their own friends and family.

[@sandyfarley260]

Oh this just infuriates me for the home owners! It should be federal law that squatters should be arrested and prosecuted for B &E! And, if they have damaged the property, reparation should be paid from their welfare checks!

[@ni1351]

The entitlement of people who have lied and stolen is infuriating. They’re willing to yell and fight with someone to double down on their thievery. Sick.

[@dendrien]

thats what criminals do.

[@alroth6308]

they are not called entitled liberal biden morons for nothing

[@achangyw]

Very sick indeed.

[@brianbadershall5427]

Stop calling them squatters when they're criminals people think I'm crazy that law that you don't own your own home

[@webeducation]

Exactly, calling them squatters is dumbing down the problem, so that it doesn't seem as bad. They need to be called what they truly are.

[@UR_gg]

We need a federal ban on squatting.

[@soulscanner66]

State rights. Constitution says its State jurisdiction, so your State government has to take care of it. Also, squatting is a Constitutional right that goes back to colonial times. These laws might be overturned. Might need a Constitutional amendment to overturn it.

[@charlesmills6621]

U.S. legislators will do absolutely nothing to help until it happens to them. And then, they may only do enough to resolve their own problem. If they perceive no gain for themselves, they seldom bother with the problem. They aren't looking out for you!

[@DestructiveAssertiveness-jg8pt]

They are unhoused 😂😂😂

[@simrdownmon6431]

​@soulscanner66 and keep in mind, changing the constitution in any way opens ot up to change in many ways. Second ammendment, goodbye and good riddance. You CuckCons are no smarter than ShotLibs. Both think then others are brainwashed and ignorant. Both are correct.

[@davruck1]

That means all white people need to leave

[@DavidShort-ov5vb]

When you have to hire someone to try to get someone out of your house is ludicrous! The lawyers should be sued!

[@dbyd777]

Beyond AMAZED that a law protecting the homeowner has not been in placed from the get-go!!!!! This is INSANE!!!!

[@Po0pypoopy]

Welcome to the greatest country in the world 😂😂

[@wisepati123]

There is actually historical precedent for it, and it was part of how we settled this country. You found a piece of land and you squatted on it and it was yours However, it is time these laws be changed. You should’ve learned this in history.

[@wisepati123]

@@Po0pypoopy you do understand the historical context for this? It is certainly past time to change the law, but it was there for a reason.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

@@AGalacticMerger That and it also protects all parties involved from hot-heads that will escalate the situation into something it doesn't need to be. Doesn't matter if they're squatters or not; if you try and force somebody out using a weapon without there being an explicit threat to your life or physical well-being, you absolutely *will* be charged for it. Not to mention, if a weapon does get involved... there's no undoing somebody being shot.

[@michelleh9584]

Time to squat at your governor's home so they can start changing the squatting laws in your state.

[@rashadhaughton22]

Exactly!!!

[@kimberlyj2066]

YES YES YES!!!

[@sereion]

Yup!!

[@yvonnewilliams8800]

This law needs to be in every state because squatters are everywhere.

[@obscuremusictabs5927]

Thank you, professor.

[@scottandrews947]

No it shouldn't. People should not be allowed to own multiple homes. That's the real cause of this problem.

[@cheekzt2l]

​@@scottandrews947 that is not the problem. The vast majority of people do not. That is a different issue that requires nuance

[@scottandrews947]

@@cheekzt2l It definitely is the cause. The people in this video don't live in these homes. If they did, squatters wouldn't have been able to set up shop there. These people are hoarding vacant houses during a housing crisis. THAT should be illegal.

[@amirkazi]

@@scottandrews947 This is stupid. What about people who go on a vacation and come back to see squatters in their home? Should people not take a two week vacation anymore either?

[@tidub119]

What's the difference between squatting and home invasion?

[@workskimkj]

Or squatting and breaking and entering?

[@bryn1063]

This is so unfair.. This isn't even their houses! She got arrested for not wanting a criminal in her house is insanity..

[@bryn1063]

@@AGalacticMerger wdym

[@Scotto97]

If I was a cop I would absolutely refuse to arrest a homeowner just trying to get an invader out of their home.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

With the law as it was written prior to this, you HAD to go through the courts to get squatters evicted, but that could take months or even years to do. But even with this law change, there are still certain ways you have to go about it. Even if you have squatters on your property, you're not allowed to use force against them unless there is an immediate threat to your life and your person. You will 100% catch criminal charges if you were to try and chase squatters out with a baseball bat, for example.

[@unapologetic6159]

@@AGalacticMergeryou must be a squatter

[@jamesk5554]

Amurika

[@nealshort670]

The state should have to pay her back for all expenses involved with removing them pay them all back this is insane!

[@Kanti12311]

Agreed! The state put in the law and they are liable

[@meowmeowmaow]

@@Kanti12311 get real if that was the case, they would have to do that for every single home and you can’t contest a lot that was put into law prior to your abolishment of the law. I hate to say it like this, but she should be happy that the law is passed, and at this point, the person who squatted in our house is the person liable to pay back for all of the damages. The state has nothing to do with what happened to her property

[@tokebak4291]

The state ? No. We aint communist china and we shouldnt pay for the slow brain.

[@Weloveyoutubeshows]

Floridian here. Thank you so much to all those who made this law possible!!!!

[@Sonofawildanimal4241]

Great state to move to!

[@sheilablanchard656]

You have an awesome Governor!

[@ruthvargas4317]

Thank God and governor Disanti for this home owner law 🎉

[@virginiajessee3708]

Law called break and entering. Why is not enforced?

[@jamiedecker7853]

That's the million dollar question. "How is it not breaking & entering?"

[@chickenceiling]

my guess is she doesn't have proof that they broke in? Did she have a security system in place? If someone fakes a lease, you need to go to court to prove that is is fraud. A police officer cannot determine who is telling the truth or not.

[@boomboompow5687]

@@chickenceiling Breaking and entering generally requires an occupant in a house (due to the extra danger of safety). Squatting also has some rights, the reason being that government really don't like houses to sit vacant. There is a strong political backlash against investment properties, they tend to drive up housing prices, and there is even greater backlash against investment homes that sit vacant. Government views it as a waste of resources (yes, it is your resource, but they still hate it when you waste the home by keeping it vacant). For example, California is going to start taxing you if you keep your home vacant, if someone squats in your home, it can actually save you some tax dollars.

[@RichardStanton-c3j]

The way you handle this is you make it look like a breaking and entering. Go at night but not alone and not unarmed. Break into the house, and then call the cops. Tell the cops you heard a crashing noise and your and your family woke up to find these people in your house. Show them the broken door/window. Now it's breaking and entering, not a squatter's right issue. Helps if you have a neighbor show up to vouch for you.

[@boomboompow5687]

@@RichardStanton-c3j House is vacant, breaking and entering requires someone to be living there. If the squatter already has photos and other items put up. It will end up you being the one who broke in.

[@chickenceiling]

@@RichardStanton-c3j yeah don't do this unless you want to go to jail lol

[@Boopooh43]

As a homeowner I find this disturbing on many levels. People don't have the right to move into houses they didn't buy, inherit or not legally leasing/renting. These squatters know they are full of BS because when asked to show their documents they are indignant and self righteous. These laws are long overdue.

[@katsukanna9322]

Giving right to criminal is the trend currently

[@4431charlie]

@@katsukanna9322 going on 4 years now

[@BashoStrikes]

My Son-in-law had this problem with one of his rentals and we already knew going through supposed due process was futile. He got a bunch of his buddies together and we all went over and had a very frightening but legal conversation with the squatters. They were gone that night and we donated all of the stuff they left to Goodwill.

[@nashsigmon6004]

😂

[@JUVI9596]

What did you say to them to make them leave quickly?

[@BashoStrikes]

@@AGalacticMerger Hey, believe what y'all want junior, it's your brain...... or is it?

[@BashoStrikes]

@@JUVI9596 I can't tell y'all. But they were terrified.

[@JUVI9596]

@@BashoStrikes it’s cool. Still I’d love to know.

[@NoProJoe]

All of these squatter situations are absurd. Telling a homeowner they have to pay to get someone that broke in out is absolutely insane. This is the state of our legal system. Perfect.

[@dt5310]

EVERY STATE NEEDS TO FIX THIS LAW AND PROTECT THE HOME OWNERS

[@gsheac]

This is what people wanted,they voted for it. Now they ate unhappy?

[@cindykedzierski2415]

Every state in our nation needs to do this!!!

[@parkermeme1]

Seriously? Wake up already! 'You will have nothing and you will be happy" is it ringing a bell to you yet?!

[@treytavares1727]

Dont tell anyone there was a squatter in your home. Dispose of them yourself and no one will know any different.

[@user-sp3gq1up9n]

I share your same thoughts.

[@josron6088]

👍

[@Timw927]

Got that right!

[@Robbie-mw5uu]

You dont need to. Just rent a lease to some strong men and have the men break the locks to move in. Squatters rights protects squatters from owners, but not from other tenants.

[@Scotto97]

In the old day, the Mafia had a different way of handling these matters. That's how they came to be - to protect those those the Police wouldn't.

[@MichelleDemishevich]

Police, “I will arrest you if you do this again. They have privacy.” Wow 😮 The US 🇺🇸 went crazy ….

[@jerryramsey4236]

So it's ok to break into a homeowners house? This is absolutely insane? Where are the Rights of the Homeowner? This is Criminal Activity!

[@XetaXones]

Its odd you say it as “homeowner’s house” and not just simply “their home”

[@lynette8918]

Burglars need to just change the locks and steal all the property at their leisure

[@SubZero_2024]

Democrats laws 💙

[@XetaXones]

@@SubZero_2024 no theyre archaic realty laws. Interesting theyll change it to benefit the landbarons but not the serfs. They wont change the laws to prevent parasitic rental practices

[@scubascoob7441]

squatting should be across the board illegal, they have no rights to someone else's property

[@mobitecstore7344]

​@@AGalacticMerger the law should favour property owners by default let the squatter go to court

[@malcolmxxx86]

why is not considered trespassing by the policy. If come home to my apt and people have broken into it and are eating my food, sleeping in my bed etc I need to go to court to kick them out, yet since it's my place i of course could stay in my own bed? @@AGalacticMerger

[@sirdiealot53]

Am I having a fever dream? How was this even allowed to exist in the first place???

[@bananascoaster1243]

Landlords kept creating homeless people on some BS. That's how. Let's check the pendulum but not swing it back too far

[@OriginalLonelygstar]

It was a law that was enacted during the turn of the last century. More specifically a few years after the civil war.

[@bigtenfourrubberducky]

Well you see, it all started back in the mid 1860s…….

[@Joomlahacks]

Same reason Trump was still allowed to run for President.

[@Robbie-mw5uu]

No squatters laws come from medieval europe. The law was made because in those days, people would leave cities and build homes on vacant land.

[@FemiNelson-sb1em]

The police department should be held accountable $. There should NOT be laws protecting squatters at all period. "Isa"

[@EuroGuy85]

Falsifying lease should not be a misdemeanor charge!

[@dking4604]

Why blur the faces of criminals?

[@GotoHere]

Fake news ABC is why faces are not shown. Try to keep up.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

Civil liability. Also: all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. As such, to avoid accidentally prejudicing a jury, their faces are blurred. Granted it doesn't change the fact that they're squatting, but they deserve a fair day in court like we all do.

[@MrKongatthegates]

innocent until proven guilty. Some of these people paid real money to the fake owner, they dont know he had no right to rent the property

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

@@MrKongatthegates This exactly. Some of these folks are victims of scammers and aren't necessarily malicious.

[@katsukanna9322]

Because it's racist.

[@deanna1589]

The squatters need to be required to pay a portion of the real estate taxes and insurance for every moment they occupy a property.

[@LeonardoHakaisha]

Good idea, but good luck collecting. Those who squat in houses are wastoids

[@johnw8984]

Just because squatters have a lease doesn't mean it's valid

[@laserbeamdaddy]

Don't ever call he police for squatters. Then you'll have to go the court route. Find another way.

[@AMLagonda]

yep, go play some baseball :)

[@DavidS-bm2st]

@@AMLagonda It's Homerun Time!! Yippie!!

[@bobahern8380]

This happened to us when we left for three weeks to handle my mother in laws passing. It took 120 plus days to get back into our home in California. My sister and her husband started a security co. for homeowners to hire while out of town, every city should have one until we have laws that protect us.

[@GotoHere]

The democrats of California will pass laws to protect the squatters.

[@rolfekurtyka-bestrealestat9326]

This is trespassing. It is NOT adverse possession, not even close. Every state has a legal process for eviction, which is generally carried out by the Sheriff's Department.

[@Sharonsaidit2024]

The bill doesn't start until July 1,2024? Why wait?

[@jesses6697]

Because it has to be given time for the police officers to be caught up in the new law and the squatters time to leave the premises. Plus also not to mention any court cases that maybe taking place at this time.

[@motorcitykitty700]

SMH 🤦‍♀️ how does squatting even get to be legal in the first place…

[@learobinson4450]

It has nothing to do with sheltering the homeless or sin. Squatters rights came about because of money. Laws protecting squatters comes from medieval England, when only land that was occupied or being used/farmed was taxed. Wealthy land owners would allow big swaths of land to go fallow & overgrown to avoid paying taxes. In order to collect more taxes the King allowed squatters who moved onto this land & farmed it to claim ownership as long as they paid the taxes & were in continuous occupation for a period of time, which varied from 5-20 years.

[@Gogeata4]

You really think they are going to peddle only negatives in this arrangement, they are killing two birds with one stone

[@XetaXones]

Bc it was never a problem when ppl could afford basic living necessities. You expect ppl to just quietly die on the corner so you dont get inconvenienced?

[@XetaXones]

@@learobinson4450so then whats wrong with it now? Ppl are suffering and doing drugs to numb their pain. Why not create land projects and get ppl to be productive again. Productivity is going down and its harming the economy as a whole. This greed is unsustainable and sorry guys but tech is not gonna protect you like you expected. And at a time of international terrorism and instability, not a good idea to keep screwing your own teamates. Youd think thats “common sense”

[@garypinsker]

@@omi_godbullshit! Nobody has the right to steal someone else’s property. An empty house could be owned by the family of a relative who has passed! Parents homes! How dare anyone move into that house!

[@James-t6o6e]

The bigger issue here isn't that they passes a law to protect home owners, its' that laws were created to protect criminals in the first place.

[@angeladansie4378]

None of the laws they're exploiting are meant to protect the criminals. Some are the "adverse possession" laws from basically the pioneer says that allowed people to take over abandoned properties. And some are tenant-landlord laws that protect tenants from bad faith landlords evicting with no notice & such. But I'm glad that Florida is setting a precedent & making this legal distinction between actual tenants & trespassing squatters

[@I_NoahGuy]

@@omi_god times have changed. Squatters ARE criminals and should prosecuted as such.

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

It was designed to help occupy land that was seized from the Native Americans.

[@scottandrews947]

Critical thinking is important here. This won't affect homeowners if you live in the house. If you don't live in the house, you shouldn't be hoarding houses. So consider this to be your karma.

[@scottandrews947]

@@I_NoahGuy Squatters are not criminals in most states. I would definitely argue that house hoarders (like these people) are a much bigger problem.

[@leonardodecrapprio382]

I think this should be something we all can agree on as Americans...

[@darthmom1019]

You'd be surprised. There's an ignorant snowflake for every issue nowadays.

[@nixwestlake9196]

Amen

[@PeteQuad]

There are an unfortunate amount of people that don't think anyone should own property. Hang out in Portland or Seattle.

[@UnclePlaysBadly]

Oh, please. Smoke less weed. ​@@PeteQuad

[@PeteQuad]

@@UnclePlaysBadly I think it's the people I'm talking about that are smoking all the weed.

[@kekerand4491]

All states should have this law passed. Specially in newyork it's been a big problem

[@bodang158]

Good job FL reps. This should absolutely be a national law, not just FL.

[@conquerorkang6193]

That fact that squatters have RIGHTS is one of the best examples that society is failing.

[@jamalwilburn228]

It's been a thing for centuries going back to Medieval days

[@dpf2122]

​@@omi_godThere are a lot of arcane laws still on the books. Huge difference between a farmer claiming abandoned land and evildoers taking over an innocent lady's house.

[@Neokvash]

So squatters have rights and get to live for free whereas the homeowners have to pay mortgage. Talk about and upside down world.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

the bigger example: that the 'greatest nation on earth' has an empidemic of homelessness.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@omi_god It hasnt?

[@samuelcalkin3516]

Leases should be required to be notarized, then if they fabricate a lease with a fraudulent notary it is a felony. This is the whole reason we have notaries is to verify who signed a contract.

[@appe0082]

Yes! That's how it is here in Brazil. Every lease contract needs to be notarized by ALL parties and all IDs verified...

[@reinanaki6455]

@@DrSeuss-sf3cnwow! I’m sorry that happened to you.

[@davidcox3076]

That's a great idea. And would be very easy to implement. You could also have the notarized lease recorded with the local government. Lease not in the county's records? Then it doesn't exist. Easy to check.

[@lindalcoomes]

Leases require an exchange of $$, not just a signature. Security deposit or monthly rent?

[@davidcox3076]

@@lindalcoomes Not necessarily. The squatters can say that their relatives are letting them live there rent free. So no exchange of $$.

[@Lulu4Him]

It is very satisfying to finally see this new law giving homeowners control over their property. Thank goodness the police can arrest them and the courts charge squatters for their selfish actions

[@charlieadams-qn3if]

When the lady was killed in New York by squatters, it should of became a squatter law quickly!!! I hope every state signs a squatter law. Because squatters are getting away with too much.

[@fredflintstone2234]

What? When did this happen?

[@bryn1063]

​@@fredflintstone22346:44

[@lalalalisa41]

​@@AGalacticMergerTo court? To what then? Drag it out for who knows how long and put a strain on your finances? There's a reason why so many homeowners are scared of this happening to them. It's absolutely ridiculous that squatters have more legal rights than the actual homeowners in the first place.

[@solsticebaby]

She was stuffed into a suitcase by the squatters after they killed her. Just in the last couple weeks ​@@fredflintstone2234

[@raysoamazing]

Florida finally does something I agree with. I couldn’t imagine being punished for kicking someone off my property. This should be nationwide.

[@raysoamazing]

@joshschmidt3841and I didn’t comment for yours. Move along.

[@Strahan740i]

@joshschmidt3841 Yea, what's that guy thinking? Adding his thoughts on a _public_ comment section. The nerve!

[@lhyork1608]

This must end in every state ! Thank you Florida for leading the way ❤

[@CodyWhiteMusic]

The fact that you're blurring the squatters face to protect their identity is disgusting

[@TRANSPORTCANADAGURU]

Insanity! Anti-squatting laws should have been established years ago. Better late than never.

[@barbthompson2715]

How in the hell do the police have the right to arrest the HOME OWNER!!!

[@crystallinemushroom4803]

because they enforce whatever the law says regardless of whether it benefits or harms anyone hell it's still "legal" to mutilate baby boys bodies yet parents and doctors don't get punished for this crap

[@jesses6697]

Because the NYPD are corrupt

[@Tom-mu7zy]

Rented from who? If you can not produce a legitimate opposite party on the contract, you don't have a contract. This should resolve in 24 hours, not 24 months. And when the "lease" is found to be fraudulent, then someone needs to be prosecuted for fraud.

[@igorvdovchenko2147]

what if landlord lies and says he didn't sign that lease and its fake? Do police believe the renters or landlord, or is it up to the judge to sort it out?

[@vitamindealer7915]

@@igorvdovchenko2147i don’t think its hard to figure that out.

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

It's up to the judge. And if they have pieces of mail that comes the address, then that bolsters their claim.@@igorvdovchenko2147

[@candicane1]

There are lots of scammers who claim to be property owners/landlords. They look for vacant properties, list them as rentals on sites like Craig’s List, create fraudulent leases, accept security deposits, get keys made for the “tenants” who think they have legitimately rented the property, only to find out the fake owner/landlord is long gone. Once the real owner finds out, they have to battle it out in court. Those cases are different from real squatters bc some people simply got scammed that thought they were in a legit lease. The can’t prosecute people who are in the wind and who can’t be traced. I’m in the real estate industry and have seen this happen way too many times.

[@igorvdovchenko2147]

@@vitamindealer7915 well if police look at a lease agreement they will tell landlord sol, take it to court. police dont want liability on kicking out a legitimate renter.

[@RobynNewberry]

How in the hell can that cop threaten her with arrest but not the squatters?! So messed up!

[@Hello_Haven]

It’s important to have live monitored alarms or some form of surveillance on your empty properties. The minute someone steps foot on your property or break in you will be alerted and can have police there immediately. Squatters get away with this because people don’t know anyone has broken in and is living there. If someone breaks in and you call the police within minutes then it falls under breaking and entering. If someone breaks in and has been living there for 30 days before you find out then that makes it a civil matter sadly. Protect your investments, install live monitored alarm system.

[@JMelissaMc]

Great idea! It may cost more but it would surely be worth it!

[@Hello_Haven]

@@JMelissaMc It's definitely worth it and depending on which service you use, it doesn't cost much. I pay $20 a month for live monitoring and it cost $200 for the equipment. I did self-install. It's more affordable. No one should ever be on my porch because it's empty and no mail goes there so when my I got an alert that someone was at the front door I checked the camera, used the two way speaker to ask who they were looking for? And they made up a story asking for Jessica. I told them no one by that name lived there and they left. This person returned late that night at 3 am. I was sleeping, but the live monitoring center got the alert, told the person the police were on the way because I had already left a note in the system with the persons picture. The person left before the police arrived and never returned. He was clearly trying to case out my empty home to squat in. You have to stop them from breaking in, in the first place because once they get in. They can lie and say they have a lease and then it's a civil matter. In most states squatters rights are triggered after they've been there for 30 days so it's important not to neglect empty properties, install some sort of surveillance. Also tell the neighbors, hey, I'm renting my home but it's currently empty, please text me if you see someone show up, break in, move in etc but with surveillance you'll catch them before they get to that point.

[@GM8101PHX]

I live in Arizona, my home is built with block and I have heavy security doors on all three exits, the windows have the roll down shutters, next to impossible to get in without cutting tools, I also have cameras feeding to a DVR!!! And look at the criminals, typical suspects!!!

[@Hello_Haven]

@@GM8101PHX Wow you have a fortress! Cameras / surveillance are a definite must. So many people don't monitor their vacant rental properties and these criminal pirates break in, move their stuff in, pretend to have a lease and then milk the system because they know it can take months to get them out through the eviction process. It's horrible and wrong and more states need to have laws that protect property owners.

[@WeedWitch1620]

Funny to bring up alarms. When my alarm goes off at home and the police respond I have to show my ID to prove that I live here. Why don't supposed "tenants" have to have ID with their address? This is going to lead to requiring a license notary to notarized all leases. Which is honestly the best thing to do.

[@nwaltz59]

This same thing happened to me after we sold our house and were in the process of moving. My daughter and I had left to go out and grab a bite after a long day of packing. Apparently these people had been watching us since we sold the house and seized their opportunity to break in. Alarms are going off I'm notified by the alarm company along with the police. Police responded and called to tell me that current occupants (criminals) are entitled to occupy because they showed them a key (not my house key) so they have squatter rights and are "entitled" to my home and our possessions and there was nothing they would do it's a civil matter.😮 As moving out of state isn't stressful enough now I needed to find an attorney to evict these criminals and hopefully. Gain access to my property People have no idea what a mess this became between me the buyers of our home and trying to find an attorney, 4 months out still working on it. Since this home is in Florida (yes I'm making house payments on this house still along with our new home.) I'm very hopefully this new law will bring resolution quickly to this matter so we can heal from this experience and finally move forward.

[@BeYourself-jk5xo]

What state are the squatters in your property

[@RichardStanton-c3j]

You say you sold the house then you say you're still making payments on it four months later? Something doesn't add up in your story.

[@allenjenkins924]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@RichardStanton-c3jI would guess she was moving and in the Process to sell which can take months for “Settlement Date” the squatters moved in before that date and “now” she can’t sell property until she gets people out and “still” has to pay Mortgage and Taxes. They had to be watching her moves and Took advantage 🤷‍♂️

[@nwaltz59]

@@RichardStanton-c3j obviously the sale fell through because the squatters had occupied the house and by law they had right to occupy. Our mortgage company still requires a payment from someone, don't think the squatters are going to pay it or the insurance or property taxes. Original Buyers have filed suit for breach of contract since they can't occupy with the squatters in there. It's a big stinking mess thats out of control. That's why I'm hoping the new legislation just passed in Florida will help to resolve this-quickly so the squatters can be removed, hopefully the property can be resold as the original buyers obviously have moved on to purchase elsewhere hoping for a payday from their lawsuit

[@avandyke143]

@@nwaltz59This is terrible! I hope that you get this all worked out soon and they arrest these criminals. Doesn’t the new law also include misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on whether they present a fraudulent lease?

[@innit2winit.]

It's important to have a security system and cameras. With that, the owner is immediately notified that someone is in the house and the police are dispatched.

[@PracticalKnow]

ALL unoccupied homes should be equipped with a burglar alarm with lights and sirens with a passcode only known to the owner - and automated call notification to the owner of the break-in. It would be FAR LESS expensive than trying to get the squatters out after the fact.

[@vetgirl71]

You’re absolutely right! Who would think that we have to set up our home as a prison to keep CRIMINALS out! So disgusting!

[@suskagusip1036]

I have to call and ADT to notify them that someone broke in my house. They told me I didn't purchase an alarm by the window. 🙄

[@Pedgo1986]

But that will not solve the problem all this people are entering houses illegally so its not a question of alarm or broken lock its problem of laws they just need to say they are tenants and game is on now YOU must prove they are there illegally and go thru court system to get eviction. You can have it on camera haw they are breaking into house but still all they need to claim is there were there legally and you lock out them and you get arrested.

[@PracticalKnow]

@@Pedgo1986 As outlined, one of the best tools for preventing this is the most immediate notification that someone unauthorized was trying to get in so that you can immediately notify authorities. If you go out for dinner and come back and people are occupying house you can call the police immediately and have them tossed. But especially for an unoccupied home - having an alarm not only may draw the attention of the neighbors and the police immediately, but it also provides you the opportunity to object to their presence immediately, which is the best scenario to get them tossed. It is not being aware of the break in that causes the worst case scenario in these situations.

[@Pedgo1986]

@@PracticalKnow well ther are cases of people be in 10 min after owner left if they had prepared some bills and you are in state that allow this alarm and presence of coos will not help you. Because now its your job to prove they are there illegally and its automatically tennant landlord case aka civil case aka cops will not get involved.

[@GoryionB]

I understand law protecting actual renters, but it's gotten insane.

[@NightmareRex6]

can we make the law so they can ONLY steal from blackrocka nd bill gates eta?

[@sa2018]

Make this a federal law, NOW.

[@GotoHere]

Dementia democrat Joe Biden would never sign a law that protects homeowners.

[@phyllis9750]

This needs to go national! Who thought not charging squatters was a good idea????? If they get in your car. they're arrested immediately! They get in your house and trash the whole place, they don't GET CHARGED!!!! WRONG? WRONG! WRONG!

[@debramiller8950]

This will allow landlords to kick out those tenants that are not paying or trashing the property as well.

[@eshraqsalahuddin115]

That is a positive thing right?

[@jojogem]

That has always been the landlords right. Landlord-tenant laws are separate from this. A lease defines the parameters of the agreement. Squatters don’t have an agreement because they took over the property. Now that takeover is illegal in FL.

[@thezack_attack883]

If you read the law, that is not correct. In order to to invoke a squatter eviction, there must be no type of lease agreement with the individual involved. If a tenant signs a lease and then immediately stops paying, you will still have to go through the court system.

[@Honeymoon1988]

No… if they are a legal tenant they have to evict them through court. Know your facts before you go saying wild things like that.

[@ecogreco]

​@@eshraqsalahuddin115 yes, landlords should have the right to eject people from their buildings if they don't pay rent or lower the value of the building. It's called property rights.

[@GimpBarbie]

It makes me so mad that there are so many people in the world that lack any shred of integrity. I don’t know of anyone in my life who would feel entitled to another person’s property.

[@Mike__B]

There's a reason why I go to my late mother's house once a week, I don't want any of that bullshit "well after 30 days they are considered tenants"

[@XetaXones]

Does anybody live there?

[@Mike__B]

@@XetaXones no, not yet anyways. The plan is to turn it into a rental place

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

In some states it's 15 days.

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

Is that your new strategy? Look for the ambulance that takes them away...then move in.@@XetaXones

[@Mike__B]

@@whereisyourhumanity7557 well regardless, weekly visits "should" prevent any technicalities about being there long enough to be considered tenants... then again if these squatters are going to forge rental agreements I'm sure they'll forge the dates on said forged agreement.

[@marricktryathia3464]

It is stuff like this that really shows that this nation is spiraling down the gutter.

[@jaeeluv]

💯‼️

[@TheMimichacha]

There should NEVER HAD BEEN ANY LAWS TO PROTECT SQUATTERS!!!!! SO WRONG SO WRONG!!!!!