While every squatter situation is different, many have one thing in common: costly legal battles, expensive home damages, and the impact on the mental health of homeowners dealing with an emotional situation.
The general definition of squatters is when a person occupies property unlawfully. Daniel Phillips, a real estate litigation partner at the law firm Belkin, Baden & Goldman who specializes in landlord-tenant disputes, previously told Fox News Digital that there are two main ways this happens. The first is in a foreclosure, where the property is abandoned. The second is through fraud, where someone rents out a home using a false identity and then quickly stops making payments.
“Professional” squatters, according to Stessa, are “people who move from property to property, taking advantage of innocent landlords with vacant properties.”
“Professional” squatters often move from house to house in order to remain in the property they find for as long as possible. (iStock)
Do-it-yourself eviction methods for getting rid of squatters can lead to legal troubles for homeowners
These people are familiar with the laws in the states they live in and use them to their advantage. For example, they know that in many states, they often have to go to court to get someone evicted. In many cases, they are allowed into the home while the case continues until a resolution is found, Phillips previously said.
Many squatters describe themselves as “professionals.”
In 2022, a Chicago woman named Darsula Young had her property taken over by someone who described himself as a “professional squatter.”
“He told me he was a professional squatter, he knew his rights and he had no intention of leaving,” Young told Jesse Watters in March 2023.
Many squatters claim to be “professionals” and tell landlords they cannot be evicted. (iStock)
Hire a lawyer like this to more effectively remove squatters from your property
When Young arrived at his home he found the locks had been changed and there was a bullet hole in the window.
Young previously told Fox News Digital that it wouldn't be until July 2023 that the squatters would finally be evicted from the land.
In April this year, it was reported that “professional squatters” had taken over a London pub owned by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
According to The Sun, the group posted a lengthy notice on the property, which read in part: “If you want to evict us you will have to file a possession claim in the County Court or High Court.”
Clearly advertising your home as for sale could attract squatters to the property. (iStock)
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There are many ways that homeowners can keep their property safe, one of which is to make sure that the home is well-maintained and does not appear to have been neglected.
Additionally, if you are selling your home and then move to another property, make sure someone keeps an eye on the house when you are away.
“My best advice for homeowners would be if they're moving out of state and plan on selling the home 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.”
There are also several security measures you can install, like cameras. Additionally, Phillips previously told Fox News Digital to make sure all windows, doors, and other entry points are securely closed and locked at all times to make sure there's no way for anyone to break into the building.
