Florida recently passed a bill unanimously that offers a fresh approach to dealing with squatters. This law allows for law enforcement to evict squatters immediately, surpassing the often lengthy and very complicated court process that are the standard for eviction. This is a huge shift in the way squatting cases are dealt with, with the objective being to provide faster resolutions for property owners that are dealing with these issues.
Making The Eviction Process More Simplistic
The new law allows police to eliminate squatting on a property without the authorized lease from the owner.
This alteration to the previous eviction process simplifies the entire endeavor for landlords, who before were forced to navigate the prolonged and expensive legal process to reclaim their properties from squatters.
Favorable Reaction From Property Owners
People such as Patti Peoples, a Florida property owner who has dealt with squatting issues firsthand, have expressed their relief and hopeful outlook following the bill being passed.
Peeples told News4Jax, “It gives me a real feeling of positive hope that we still have the ability to discuss challenges in our society and work with our legislatures in a bipartisan way.”
What Property Owners Face Because Of Squatters
The issue with squatting was brought to legislators attention by personal stories being shared, this includes the riveting experience that Peeples had.
She detailed to the state Senate Criminal Justice Committee how squatters had seized her home, demonstrating the immediate impact of squatting on property owners and the need for prompt legal changes.
Advocacy Groups Forcing Concerns
Advocacy groups such as Florida Rising, had expressed concerns initially following the legislation, claiming it could be misused against legal tenants.
However, after amendments to safeguard legal occupants were made, the group adopted a neutral stance on the bill. This shift indicates the legislative effort to create balance between protecting property rights while also safeguarding legal tenants.
Dealing With Fake Leases
One of the difficulties underscored in combating squatting has been the presentation of fake leases by squatters.
These efforts have been used to claim rights to properties illegally, making the eviction process even more complicated for property owners. The new legislation will address these issues directly by allowing police intervention without a lease that is authorized by the property owner.
Bill Waiting For Governor’s Approval
The bill has passed through both chambers of the Florida Legislature and is now just waiting for Governor Ron DeSantis to sign off on it.
If he does sign the bill into law it will expedite the removal of squatters and also provide recourse for illegally evicting tenants.
Emotional Toll On Property Owners
Peeples shared with Fox News the array of emotions that she felt as a result of the squatting incident, this includes “intense anger,” a feeling of defeat, and a sense of injustice by both the legal and law enforcement systems.
Her testimony provides a personal perspective on the distress property owners can face when dealing with squatting on their property.
The Financial Strain Of Squatting
The case of Patti Peeples underscores the financial and intense emotional distress that squatting can cause property owners.
After enduring weeks of legal uphill battles to evict squatters who claim to be the victims of a rental scam, Peeples was left with her home significantly damaged, resulting in thousands of dollars in loss.
Yet Another Disturbing Florida Home Invasion Committed By Squatters
In other concerning incidents, a $1 million home located in Florida became unlawfully occupied by 10 squatters, which led to a bug infestation and notable property damage.
Tyrone Jones, who identifies as the leader of the group, is accused of employing fake identity to illegally become the executor of the property that is located on Seabreeze Boulevard.
Property Damage Was Extensive
The squatters left the home in unspeakable conditions, with severe damage to the walls, windows, and flooring.
This situation not only brings to light the physical destruction that occurred to the property but also underscores the audacity of the squatters who, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, knew how to exploit the legal system to delay eviction.
Police Intervention
Broward County Sheriff’s intervened and ultimately evicted seven men, two women, and two children from the property.
After the evictions, security measures were put in place for the property, they changed the locks in hopes this would prevent squatters from re-entering the home and unlawfully occupying it.
The Alleged Fraudulent Scheme By Tyrone Jones’
In a report from the Daily Mail, Jones is accused of orchestrating an intricate fraudulent scheme, fabricating a fake identity so that he could seize control of the Fort Lauderdale property.
It is not an isolated incident, Jones is accused of being involved in as many as 14 other crimes with similar context,fraudulently acquiring properties valued at more than $12 million.
Effects On Neighbors
The existence of squatters instilled fear in the neighborhood, specifically affecting a next-door neighbor who reported a break-in during the night of February 27, 2022.
Describing the terrifying incident to CBS Miami, the neighbor recounted how his wife screamed when she realized there was a home invader standing at the foot of their bed. Bringing to light the larger security concerns that come from having squatters occupy homes that don’t belong to them.
The Status Of The Stolen Home
The home incurred significant damage during the time the squatters were occupying it.
An investigator for Broward Property Appraiser’s office, Mike Fisten, shared a detailed account of the destruction by stating, “It’s bug infested. The walls are damaged. The flooring is damaged. The windows are damaged. The whole area is totally damaged.”
An Unexpected Find: Ankle Monitor
Among those removed from the property was Kevin Bosley, who had been arrested prior and was released with an ankle monitor.
Authorities were unaware that Bosley had been illegally residing in the home, a revelation that emerged only during the eviction process, when he was observed being escorted off the property wearing an ankle monitor.
The Bigger Ramifications Of Home Theft
The Broward County Property Appraiser, Marty Kiar, highlighted the bigger consequences of these criminal activities.
He emphasized that home theft doesn’t just affect the property owner but also makes the community feel victimized as a whole. The unlawful occupation led to other crimes, including home invasion of a neighboring house, adding to the ripple effects of the squatters actions.
Incident Of Squatting In Houston
In another incident in Houston, a public school teacher and her family were evicted from a home they were occupying by using a fake lease.
Amberlyn Prather, the teacher, was confronted with legal repercussions after the judge approved the eviction.
Collaboration Between Community And Law Enforcement
Substantial efforts have been made to tackle the issues involving squatters and property fraud in Broward County, with nearly 200 squatting incidents investigated within a year.
Marty Kiar gave praise for the cooperation between the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, and his team in working together to protect the community and hold perpetrators accountable.
Challenges And Solutions In Real Estate
The existence of squatters presented considerable hurdles for real estate professionals.
A realtor authorized to sell the Houston House, Shanequa Garrett, faced prolonged struggles to regain access because of the illegal occupants. She would eventually regain access after the eviction and be able to work towards the sale of the home, bringing the difficult endeavor to a close.
Restoring And Protecting Community Properties
The occurrences in Houston and Florida exemplify the complex challenges that the communities face when trying to spearhead the issues of illegal squatters.
The anti-squatting legislation is aimed to help police, property appraisers, and real estate professionals reclaim properties, ensuring that communities can feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.
Strengthening Legal Consequences
According to the proposed bill, a fake lease is considered a misdemeanor, and offenders found guilty of trying to sell or lease someone else’s home would be faced with felony charges.
In addition to that, being responsible for more than $1,000 in property damage would also result in felony charges, significantly raising the stakes for squatting and related offenses.
Demand For Stricter Squatting Laws
A handyman-turned-squatter hunter, Flash Shelton, has advocated for harsher laws for squatters, referencing the situation in Atlanta where around 1,200 homes are reported to have been taken over by squatters.
Shelton suggests that it will be easier to facilitate the removal of squatters by implementing harsher punishments for the crime.
Potential Effects Of The Legislation
The unanimous approval of the anti-squatting bill by the Florida Legislature represents a possible shift in the state’s approach to dealing with squatting.
By making the eviction process easier and implementing harsher penalties for squatting and other related offenses, the law aims to protect property owners and restore their rights to their homes more swiftly and effectively than has been possible under previous laws.
