Florida Leads the Way with Anti-Squatter Law

The Florida State Legislature recently unanimously passed “House Bill 621,” which Governor Ron DeSantis subsequently approved.

The law permits the immediate removal of squatters in a swift non-judicial eviction, aiming to streamline the removal of squatters from private property. Previously, like most States, Florida lenders and servicers who took possession of residential property through foreclosure faced lengthy and expensive court battles to evict squatters.

The new legislation allows law enforcement to remove squatters immediately upon verification by the property owner and without a court hearing. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for squatting, including fines for presenting false leases and felony charges for causing significant property damage.

Florida advocacy groups raised concerns that landlords could misuse the bill to evict tenants unfairly. However, amendments were made to the bill to include safeguards against such misuse, and the legislation ultimately passed unanimously.

It will be interesting to see if other states that are facing squatter crises follow Florida’s example.

-Guy Milone, Friedman Vartolo General Counsel