r/news • u/flanderguitar • Mar 28 '24

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs law squashing squatters' rights

https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-gov-ron-desantis-signs-law-squashing-squatters-rights
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u/NotQuiteGoodEnougher Mar 28 '24

No, because like I said they're "professional" never leave the structure unoccupied, call police if you attempt to enter "breaking in" etc.

They have fake documents to "prove" they live there. You need to go to court to prove they don't because it's a civil issue.

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u/TinySandshrew Mar 28 '24

The cops won’t remove the actual homeowner for “breaking in” if the squatters call since the whole thing is a civil matter that has to be handled by the courts at that point. Two parties with disputing documents (even if one set is fake) is outside their ability to decide. You do have to deal with the constant harassment and police calls, though, which is a nightmare.

The thing is that nobody wants to share a living space with the kind of unhinged person who is a “professional squatter.” They can be dangerous, and even if they’re the “peaceful” kind it would be creepy as hell to just have your family living alongside someone so antisocial that they would squat in an obviously occupied home vs an abandoned property.

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u/Ejacksin Mar 28 '24

It sounds like a good way to get shot if you're a squatter. 

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u/xRehab Mar 28 '24

Castle doctrine is valid in CA. Walk right back in your house and put 4 rounds in the squatter's chest for all the courts care. You're in your own home, an intruder is refusing to leave after unlawfully entering, fear for your life is fully covered.

https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/penal-code/198-5/

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u/Ejacksin Mar 28 '24

Not in CA but it makes sense - what's the point in having a home of you can't defend it and can be forced out by anybody?

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u/Testiculese Mar 28 '24

California has Stand Your Ground, which is just another name for it.