New bill protects homeowners from squatters and allows police to intervene

FLORIDA – A new law taking effect July 1 will increase protections for property owners against squatters and allow police to intervene in squatting situations.

RELATED: Jacksonville Squatters Finally Evicted From Home After 40 Days Leave $15K in Damage, Homeowners Say

Under the new law, a property owner can request the police to immediately evict an illegal occupant from his or her home if the following conditions are met:

That person has trespassed and remains on the property.
The owner has ordered them to leave, but they haven’t.
They are not current or former tenants in a legal dispute.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office asks the owner to complete an online form that will be on their website.

The law also provides harsh penalties for people involved in squatting scams.

For example, a first-degree misdemeanor for making a false written statement to obtain property, and a first-degree felony for knowingly advertising the sale or rental of a dwelling without legal authority or ownership.

RELATED: Jacksonville homeowner launches website to help others avoid unwanted squatting situations

Tom Hackney, crime and security analyst for News4JAX, said that as someone who used to deal with squatting situations, the law will be helpful.

“When you hear these stories that people tell about their houses and the story that News4JAX presented before, just the damage associated with those people in that house, they didn’t belong there, they didn’t have any legal status there,” Hackney said.

This story will be updated with more information about this new law and will hear from Sheriff TK Waters. News4JAX spoke to him yesterday about the issue.

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