Squatters are trespassers, thieves and vandals. Why haven’t the local police moved in and arrested these criminals? Calling them squatters is a misdirection, these are criminals, treat them as such.
“And while squatting is technically illegal in California, those living in these homes have certain rights that protect them under the law, and landlords often fork out tons of money trying to get them out.
Since law enforcement often prefers to avoid the crisis, landlords often turn to “vigilante squatter removers,” Yukelson said, and this can turn violent.
“These vigilante squatter removers are far less costly and much faster than the court system which can take approximately 11-12 months and untold thousands of dollars in legal fees to remove a squatter,” Yukelson said in a statement. “However, eventually, someone is going to get hurt and that might be the squatters or the squatter removers. In a sense, we are dealing with the ‘wild, wild West’ here.”
People getting hurt? That is because government refuses to enforce our laws. What are we paying taxes for?
California Squatter Warning Issued
By Suzanne Blake, Newsweek 5/10/24 https://www.newsweek.com/california-squatter-warning-issued-1899502
California homeowners are facing an ongoing squatter crisis across Los Angeles.
Thousands of homes are being invaded by squatters who live in them without paying rent, and many cause major property damage or even physical injury to property owners, according to Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles.
And while squatting is technically illegal in California, those living in these homes have certain rights that protect them under the law, and landlords often fork out tons of money trying to get them out.
Since law enforcement often prefers to avoid the crisis, landlords often turn to “vigilante squatter removers,” Yukelson said, and this can turn violent.
“These vigilante squatter removers are far less costly and much faster than the court system which can take approximately 11-12 months and untold thousands of dollars in legal fees to remove a squatter,” Yukelson said in a statement. “However, eventually, someone is going to get hurt and that might be the squatters or the squatter removers. In a sense, we are dealing with the ‘wild, wild West’ here.”
In California, squatters often claim they have a lease, and an eviction notice can often take up to one year to take effect.
Across the country, some states are looking to change their laws to give landlords more rights and power in getting squatters off their property. Florida has passed an anti-squatter law already, while New York, Georgia and Alabama are in the middle of passing similar bills.
