Property owners in Florida have some additional backing when it comes to removing squatters from their property, due to a new bill signed into state law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week.
Bill HB 621, Property Rights, will go into effect July 1 of this year and “…creates an optional new procedure for a property owner to request that a sheriff’s officer remove an unauthorized person from residential real property,” according to the law summary.
“We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida,” said DeSantis.
“While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system.”
Under HB 621, a property owner can request law enforcement to immediately remove a squatter from their property if the following conditions are met:
- The individual has unlawfully entered and remains on the property;
- The individual has been directed to leave the property by the owner but has not done so; and
- The individual is not a current or former tenant in a legal dispute.
In Florida, it will be quick and simple to reclaim your home from squatters, avoiding costly delays, litigation, and missed rents, according to the governor’s office.
HB 621 also creates harsh penalties for those engaged in squatting and for those who encourage squatting and teach others the scam. The bill makes it:
- A first-degree misdemeanor for making a false statement in writing to obtain real property or for knowingly and willfully presenting a falsified document conveying property rights;
- A second-degree felony for any person who unlawfully occupies or trespasses in a residential dwelling and who intentionally causes $1,000 or more in damages; and
- A first-degree felony for knowingly advertising the sale or rent of a residential property without legal authority or ownership.
Sumter County Undersheriff Pat Breeden said the stance in Sumter County has always been to arrest outright squatters - people who move into abandoned or empty homes and take over without permission. He said they make arrests for either burglary, criminal mischief or trespassing when they’re dealing with squatters. But he noted the new bill will give them more backing in law enforcement.
According to Breeden, they more often deal with civil situations, where a homeowner claims someone is trespassing in their home and the person claims they had an agreement with the homeowner. He said the claim might be that they were friends and one moved in to help other or to pay the bills. In order to determine the situation and whether or not an arrest should be made, “We have to look at everything,” he said.
According to Breeden, one of the biggest issues Sumter is currently facing is traffic growth. He said that’s why they worked to get federal grant assistance – the money is being used to put additional law enforcement officers on that can work traffic enforcement.
