‘We believe in the rule of law,’ the governor says. ‘We believe in private property rights.’
Just days after a New York woman was removed from her home and arrested due to “squatter’s rights,” Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that ensures when police knock on the door, they stand on the homeowner’s side.
“We want the law to have the thumb on the scale and in favor of law-abiding property owners and that’s what you’re going to see here with this piece of legislation,” he said.
“What you can do now if you’re the victim of squatting … simply fill out a form, give it to your local sheriff, and the sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally.”
House Bill 621 recognizes a property owner’s ability to request law enforcement assistance in the immediate removal of a squatter if that person has broken into—or otherwise unlawfully entered—the property and remained there, especially after being asked to leave, and that individual isn’t a current or former tenant in a legal dispute.
The bill also creates legal penalties for squatting, including a second-degree felony for unlawfully occupying or trespassing in a residential dwelling and intentionally causing damage totaling $1,000 or more.
In explaining the intention behind the bill, Mr. DeSantis said it was prudent to react to what is being seen in other parts of the country.
He referred to two New York cases—one in which squatters were given tenants’ rights after 30 days, and the second involving two illegal immigrants who allegedly murdered the owner of the property they were squatting in when she confronted them.
Mr. DeSantis also said that Florida homes are at a greater risk of squatters due to the number of senior citizens living in the state, as well as the number of seasonal residents who only actively occupy their homes for part of the year.
“We believe in the rule of law,” he said. “We believe in private property rights. We think it’s good that people can aspire to own a home … we even are proud that we’ve got a lot of seasonal residents here.”
By T.J. Muscaro
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