- DeSantis declared that ‘the squatter scam ends today’ after signing the bill
- The governor criticized liberal states for making it difficult to evict squatters
- He specifically mentioned a case in New York where a woman called the police to help her evict squatters, but was instead arrested by authorities.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has put an end to the ‘squatter scam’ in the Sunshine State after signing a bill Wednesday that will speed up the process for landlords to evict unwanted tenants.
The law allows for the immediate removal of squatters if certain conditions are met.
It’s a stark contrast to states like New York and California, which are notoriously difficult places to remove squatters.
In a victorious interview celebrating the new law Wednesday night, DeSantis criticized liberal states for siding with squatters.
“It was never intended that you could walk into a subdivision, walk into a house and start living there and suddenly have all these rights,” he said.
“In New York there was a case, and it was reported, in which the owner was when someone had taken over her house and the police did not evict the squatters, the police ended up arresting the owner,” DeSantis denounced.
The governor was apparently referring to the case of Adele Andaloro, 47, who inherited a property on a quiet street in Flushing, Queens. But when she planned to sell it, a squatter replaced the front door and changed the locks.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared the squatter scam over in his state after signing into law a measure that would reduce the time it takes for landlords to get authorities to remove unwanted tenants.
The measure also creates additional penalties for those who participate or teach others to squat property that is not theirs.
She was later arrested after a heated confrontation with a squatter who claimed the right to live in the family’s million-dollar home.
“What kind of country is that?” DeSantis said.
“What New York does, what California does, Florida will do the opposite,” he continued.
Florida’s new law states that squatters can be removed by law enforcement if only three conditions are met.
First, the individual has trespassed on the property and remains there.
Secondly, the individual has been ordered to leave the premises but is refusing.
And third, the individual is not a current or former tenant involved in a legal dispute with the landlord.
If all three conditions are met, DeSantis says authorities will remove the squatters immediately. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2024.
“We are putting an end to the squatter scam in Florida,” he said in announcing the new law.
“While other states side with squatters, we protect homeowners and punish criminals who seek to game the system.”
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Before the bill’s passage, squatters would have similar rights to actual tenants.
Now, DeSantis said, residents just have to “fill out a form, give it to the local sheriff, and the sheriff is instructed to go out and remove the people who are illegally occupying their home.”
The new law also establishes “severe penalties for those who practice squatting and for those who encourage squatting and teach others about fraud,” according to the statement.