Ron DeSantis slams liberal New York and California for doing nothing about the surge in squatters as he signs bill to make sure they are immediately evicted
- DeSantis stated that the “squatter scam ends today” after signing the bill
- The governor called out the liberal states for making it difficult to evict squatters from their country
- He specifically mentioned a case in New York in which a woman called the police to help her evict squatters, but she was arrested by authorities instead.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed he was putting an end to the “squatter scam” in the Sunshine State after signing a bill Wednesday that will speed up the process for homeowners to evict unwanted tenants.
The law allows for the immediate removal of squatters if certain conditions are met.
It’s in stark contrast to states like New York and California, which are notoriously difficult places to remove squatters.
In a victory lap celebrating the new law Wednesday night, DeSantis criticized liberal states for siding with the squatters.
“It was never supposed to be that you could just go into a subdivision, bust into a house and live there and suddenly have all these rights,” he said.
“There was a case in New York, and it was reported, where the homeowner left when someone took over her house and the police didn’t evict the squatters. Police eventually arrested the homeowner,” DeSantis denounced.
The governor was apparently referring to the case of Adele Andaloro, 47, who inherited property on a quiet street in Flushing, Queens. But when she planned to sell it, a squatter had replaced the front door and changed the locks.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared the squatter scam in his state has ended after he signed a measure into law that would shorten the time it takes for homeowners to get law enforcement to remove unwanted tenants
The measure also creates additional penalties for those who engage in or teach others how to squat on property that is not theirs
She was later arrested after a heated confrontation with a squatter who claimed he had the right to live in her family’s $1 million home.
“What kind of country is that,” DeSantis said.
“What New York is doing, what California is doing, 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 person entered the premises illegally and remains there.
Second, the person has been told to leave the premises, but he refuses.
And third, the individual is not a current or former tenant involved in a legal dispute with the owner.
If all three conditions are met, DeSantis said authorities will immediately remove the squatters. The bill will come into effect on July 1, 2024.
“We’re putting an end to the squatter scam in Florida,” he said as he announced the new law.
“While other states side with squatters, we protect property owners and punish criminals who want to game the system.”
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Before the bill was passed, squatters would have rights similar to those of actual tenants.
Now, DeSantis said, all residents have to do is “fill out a form, give it to the local sheriff, and the sheriff will be ordered to go and remove the people who are living in your property illegally.”
The new law also provides for “severe penalties for those who engage in squatting and for those who encourage squatting and teach others the scam,” the press release said.