Governor Ron DeSantis, R-FL, on Wednesday signed legislation into law that eliminates "squatter's right" in the state.
The new law, known as HB 621, is set to go into effect on July 1. Once the law takes effect, property owners in Florida would no longer need to go through the lengthy and expensive court process to evict squatters from their homes.
"We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida. While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system," Gov. DeSantis said in a statement following the signing.
The bill previously cleared both chambers in the Florida Legislature earlier this month with overwhelming support.
What's Under the New Law?
Under the new policy, homeowners can now file a complaint to local law enforcement or make a call to the sheriff's office to have squatters immediately removed from their homes if the suspects are unable to produce a document authorizing their residency by the property owner.
The same rule will apply to an individual who was told to leave but refused. However, the individual must not be a current or former tenant involved in a legal dispute.
Apart from giving law enforcement officers the power to remove squatters from properties, the law also establishes harsher penalties against those who participate in squatting crimes.
Under HB 621, a first-degree misdemeanor can be filed against an individual who made a false statement to falsely convey property rights. The bill also makes it a second-degree felony to trespass or unlawfully occupy a residential property and cause $1,000 or more in damages. Squatters who "knowingly advertise the sale or rent of a residential property without legal authority or ownership" may also be charged with first-degree felony.
Florida has seen a string of squatting incidents over the past year. In April 2023, two female squatters moved into a Jacksonville residence and caused nearly $400,000 in damages. In September, a squatter moved into a multimillion-dollar home in Bonita Springs and was seen wearing the homeowner's clothing. The squatter told deputies she was the owner of the beach house, even showing them forged documents that she purchased the property.
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