Stories about squatters living on land illegally have been told across the United States.
Homeowners often lose hundreds of thousands of dollars repairing damage left by squatters and in lengthy legal battles to evict them from their homes.
Homeowners can learn from other squatter situations and protect themselves from similar occurrences.
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Read tips from homeowners and real estate experts on how property owners can protect themselves from squatters.
- Monitor your home while you’re away
- Ask family, close friends, and neighbors to keep an eye on your properties for sale.
- Familiarize yourself with the laws in your state
- If you notice any suspicious activity, consult with a real estate attorney
- Talk to your local councillor
Becoming friendly with neighbors who can keep an eye on your property when you’re away and installing home security cameras are some of the tips from experts to protect homeowners from squatters. (iStock)
1. Monitor your home while you’re away
It’s very important to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. If you’re going on an extended holiday, get a neighbour to keep an eye on it.
“In a lot of areas these days, and I see it as a real estate agent, people don’t know each other. They don’t know their neighbors. Everybody’s too busy,” Houston, Texas real estate agent George Huntoon previously told Fox News Digital. “We’re all just so busy, nobody talks to anybody anymore.”
Make an effort to get to know your neighbors so you can look out for each other.
If you’re a homeowner, visit the property frequently to check in. If you own a property away from your main residence, arrange for someone you trust to watch over it when you’re unable to be there.
Installing security cameras on the outside of your home is also a great way to keep an eye on your home even when you’re not there.
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“If you’re going to move away from this house, you absolutely need to monitor the house — security cameras, alarm system, neighbors — because if someone moves in and nobody says anything, and nobody says anything, they fly under the radar, and that’s when the problems start,” Huntoon previously said.
2. Ask family, close friends, and neighbors to view your property for sale
By the time you sell your property, you may already have moved into your new home.
If you are in this situation, be sure to have someone else monitor your home during the selling period.
“My best advice for homeowners would be if they’re moving out of state and their home is going to be sold after they move, or if they’re a distant relative and the family home is going through probate, to have someone closely monitor the property on a regular basis,” Courtney Hartsfield, a real estate agent with Madison, Alabama-based Horizon Realty’s Tyler Hughes Realty Group, previously told Fox News Digital, calling these homes “easy targets.”
Homes that appear vacant, such as those with “for sale” signs out front, may be targeted by squatters. (iStock)
3. Familiarize yourself with the laws in your state
Squatter laws vary from state to state.
Some states have laws that favor squatters, while others have laws that allow law enforcement to quickly remove squatters from homes without going through a lengthy legal process.
Florida is one state that has enacted laws to protect homeowners from squatters.
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Florida law “makes it easier for landlords to call the police in certain situations where the property is not open to the public and you are not a tenant, and in many cases the police can evict you without filing a trespass lawsuit,” Jeron Kelly, a partner at the law firm Kelly & Grant in Boca Raton, Florida, previously told Fox News Digital.
Laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the laws in your state so you know what to do if you have squatters.
4. If you notice any suspicious activity, consult a real estate lawyer.
If you have squatters living on your property, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
If you have squatters living in your home, contact an attorney immediately. (iStock)
“When searching for an attorney to work with, look for one that specializes in real estate, as they will have the most legal knowledge and can help you find a solution quickly,” Kelly previously said.
5. Talk to your local politicians
Many people have shared their experiences dealing with squatters, and many of these stories have garnered national media attention and led to changes in laws.
One of those who shared her story was Florida homeowner Patty Peoples, who had squatters in the property she’d been trying to sell for more than a month.
As her story gained traction, Florida lawmakers approached her, and Peoples ended up testifying before Florida Senate and House committees while the bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis was still pending.
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“I’ve been amazed, surprised and really, really encouraged by what my case has taught me and I hope it shows others that our Congress can listen to ordinary citizens and try to effectively enact new laws to address sometimes everyday common problems,” Peoples told Fox News Digital.
“This is a really great example of my story generating local media interest, local media interest generating national news interest, and national coverage spurring state legislators to act,” Peoples said. “I think this is the way things should be in our country. It shows the value of a free press. It shows, in my case, that lawmakers can work in a bipartisan way. So I think there are a lot of wins to come out of this, especially bigger than squatting and certainly bigger than my case.”
If you have dealt with a squatter problem or know someone in your state who has a squatter problem, talking to your local legislators can help change the laws to better protect homeowners.
