New York State's 2024 state budget signed into law in April includes a clear definition of “squatter,” but New York City lawyers say more can be done to protect homeowners and landlords. I'm thinking.
Several states across the country have passed laws prohibiting squatting. One is Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill in March 2024 and it went into effect on July 1.
“You can't take someone else's private property and expect them to get away with it. We are ending squatting fraud once and for all in Florida,” DeSantis said at a news conference.
In many illegal occupancy cases across the country, there is little room for police intervention and the case is sent to court for resolution. (St. Petersburg)
Advice from experts to protect your home from squatters
The law also makes it easier for law enforcement to intervene in Florida's illegal occupation disputes.
The law would “empower homeowners to quickly and legally evict squatters from their premises and increase criminal penalties for squatting. We're not seeing the same types of problems here that we saw in Mexico State,” DeSantis said. “York, nevertheless, our laws actually took into account things that aren't necessarily trends.” added.
True stories of people affected by squatters helped pass legislation in the Sunshine State. A woman named Patti Peoples, who had been illegally occupying her home for 36 days, was called to testify before a Florida Senate and House committee while the bill was still being considered.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill in March 2024 to protect homeowners from squatters. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
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“I was surprised and really, really encouraged by what this particular case of mine has shown me: that our legislature listens to the public, and sometimes actually “I hope it shows others that we can effectively try to pass new laws to address real problems,” Peoples said. He previously told FOX News Digital.
In response to numerous stories of squatters emerging in New York, especially in New York City, lawmakers are seeking a 2024 law signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in April to make it easier for police to intervene. Squatters were defined in the state budget.
The language defines a squatter as “entering or trespassing on real property without the permission of the person entitled to the property; defined as a person who continues to occupy the property. ” reported on the New York Senate website.
The New York State Legislature defined what a “squatter” is as part of the state's 2024 budget, distinguishing between squatters and legal renters. (St. Petersburg)
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This law was enacted at the same time as the Just Cause Eviction Act.
The law states that “unregulated fair market tenants, such as rent-stabilized tenants and rent-controlled tenants, are free market tenants but are exempt from ownership of an apartment unless the landlord can prove that they are exempt from the law.” cannot be excluded.” Or whether there is a so-called good reason, defined by law, for removing the tenant from possession,” Daniel Phillips said.
Phillips is a real estate litigation partner at Belkin, Burden & Goldman, specializing in landlord-tenant disputes.
Phillips told FOX News Digital that defining a squatter is “no different than the laws surrounding squatters.”
“It just gives a definition of what a squatter is and basically says they are not already existing tenants,” Phillips added.
Mr. Phillips talked about how he thinks New York can help protect homeowners from squatters. It also includes clear instructions on what homeowners or landlords can do if they have squatters living on their property, including evicting them by police and using self-help methods. Things like changing locks, turning off utilities, etc.
A New York City real estate litigation partner told Fox News Digital that creating a courtroom specifically for squatting cases could help landlords through the legal process and speed up litigation. (St. Petersburg)
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“Special courtrooms could be set up specifically for these types of cases to speed up trial dates, so landlords can move through the legal process more quickly,” Phillips suggested. “The law did nothing of the sort.”
