While the squat may be shocking to some, it has a deep history in the United States. Squatter existed during the California Gold Rush, the Great Depression, and World War II.
According to History.com, after John Sutter discovered gold on his land in the late 1840s during the California Gold Rush, the land became overrun with squatters.
However, the United States is not the only country where illegal occupation occurs. According to the Anderson Advisors website, squatting also has a history in the UK, with the Crown’s courts often ruling in favor of individuals who were occupying the space without the owner’s permission.
A squatter illegally resides on someone else’s property. (Carol Park)
5 times squatters were busted after taking over a home: What you need to know
The act of someone illegally occupying property has been part of history for many years. Today, squatters occupy space in a variety of ways.
There are two main situations in which Daniel Phillips, real estate litigation partner at Belkin, Baden & Goldman LLP, sees squats occurring.
In March 2024, he told Fox News Digital that foreclosures are common when squatters take possession of abandoned properties. Another major case is fraud, where an individual assumes the identity of another person and fraudulently rents out an apartment or house.
Each state in the country has its own laws regarding squatters, most of which make it difficult to evict squatters from property. According to the American Apartment Owners Association, most U.S. states have “squatter rights.”
According to the source, “Squatter rights are the rights of a squatter to take another person’s property if the legal owner does not evict the squatter or take action against the squatter. It refers to the law that allows people to use or live in the area.”
Many states in the United States have laws that make the squatter removal process lengthy and expensive. (Adobe Stock)
Squatters plague homeowners across the country with no solution in sight: ‘It’s a problem’
For example, in New York City, a squatter can make a claim after having lived in the property for just 30 days.
Traditionally, squatter’s rights apply when an individual has illegally occupied a space for a period of time, according to the American Apartment Owners Association.
Currently, removing squatters from a property is usually a very long process.
“This is a very long process,” Phillips told FOX News Digital. “It’s definitely a burden on small landlords who are trying to collect rent and pay their mortgages. And now there are people living there who aren’t paying, and they’re going through court proceedings. You have to go through it. It takes time and you have to hire people.” Usually the lawyer releases the person. ”
Install surveillance cameras and alarm systems to protect your home. (St. Petersburg)
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Recently, some states in the United States have begun passing laws to protect homeowners. For example, Florida passed a bill in March 2024 that gives law enforcement the power to remove criminals.
