What Every Landlord Needs to Know About Squatter’s Rights?
Can you imagine someone forcefully occupying your home and not paying rent? On top of that, you will not be able to legally charge them because of your negligence on mentioning the wrong clauses on your renter’s lease agreement.
This scenario would certainly be one of the worst nightmares for any renter or property manager. But, do you know what is the legal term for this scenario? According to the law this situation is known as the Squatter’s Rights which the property management companies have to take care of.
Squatter’s Rights is basically a loophole where tenants are allowed to take full possession of their renter’s property if they have not received a proper eviction notice.
If you are a property manager, you can imagine the amount of loss you can incur if this was to happen to you. Consequently, the purpose of this blog is to make more people aware of the Squatter’s Rights loophole.
What are Squatters Rights?
Squatter’s rights are very important to a lot of people and they can be defined as rights that allow someone who is not the legal owner of a property to occupy it.
The rights are granted by the squatter’s right of habitation. This right has been around for centuries and has existed in a variety of forms.
The most common forms of this right include the right to live in an abandoned building, to have access to water, and to have access to electricity. However, the law varies from country to country.
Squatter’s rights are very important in the United States. It is the law that if someone is homeless, they have the right to occupy a vacant home or building.
Check out the following implications of Squatter’s Rights for property management in Florida and other parts of US:
- The law also states that when a building or home is vacated, it must be left in a habitable condition for the next occupant. If a person does not follow these laws, they can be fined up to $1000 and/or face jail time.
- Squatter Rights allows squatters to squat without the owner’s permission if formal eviction notices have not been received. Additionally, in some states, squatters can claim rightful ownership of real estate if they can show evidence of prejudiced ownership.
- They can claim possession as well as reach out to the court in such a scenario and they will have to succumb to the situation if they are found guilty.
So now let us assume the worst-case scenario that a Squatter has occupied your home, what legal steps should you take in such situations? Let’s have a look.
How to handle the squatter of your property?
If you find Squatters in your rental property the scenario can get more than frustrating. You may be tempted to work things out on your own, but you could end up in legal trouble. Here are two crucial steps you need to follow if you find squatters on your property:
Inform the local authorities
If you suspect the presence of a squatter in your rental property, the first course of action would be to determine whether you are a squatter or an intruder. Therefore, it is best to call your local law enforcement agency. You can then eliminate all intruders and notify all squatters.
Claim to the civil court
Eviction requirements vary by location. However, it is very important that landlords thoroughly research and comply with local laws. Evicting a tenant typically requires filing a civil lawsuit and attending an eviction hearing.
Wrapping Up
Property management companies in Florida or any other US state can only do so much to keep your property safe from intruders or even squatters. The ball is definitely in your court when it comes to keeping your property safe.
If you ever find yourself in such a hostile situation, remember to contact the local officials without any delay.