New ‘squatter’ law signed in Florida as issue runs rampant nationwide

Owning an extra home was just my way of earning a little extra income for my retirement. Patty Peoples never imagined that buying two small investment properties near her home would turn into such a colossal nightmare. Oh my gosh, I mean, what a year this has been. Literally a year ago, this time the house was in ruins. I can see they changed the lock on the front door. How's that for not forcing entry? The 61-year-old man from Jacksonville, Florida, became a victim of

squatter

s. A maddening situation. That cost her over $40,000 and put her in danger. I thought if I put the key in the door then I don't know what awaits me on the other side.

It was last year when people put one of his houses on the market. that sat empty for less than a month before two strangers broke in, according to Jacksonville police, and claimed to take over. I called 911 and while describing to the officer that there may be someone who had broken into my house. a young woman and she said, "Well, I rented this property yesterday, it only got worse. I own this house, it doesn't matter." Tensions escalated in this heated altercation the next day, after people broke into her house and asked strangers gone, she's still standing here." Excuse me if you touch me again I have every right to be in this house you don't have every right to be in the house at all you don't you don't you don't I'm not touching you m you're touching me and this Madam, we're blocking you access to the house, God believe it or not, the police officer told me that I will arrest her if she does this again, they have the right to privacy.

I can't express the frustration I felt at this moment according to this police report obtained by ABC News the

squatter

s had a made up lease and were repeat offenders against people Surprise The police told him there was little they could do the police broke the news to me really devastating was that this was not a crime and this had to be handled In Civil Court, people's ordeal is part of a

rampant

squatter crisis affecting residents from state to state. You are trying to raise more awareness about the laws that you think need to change if a squatter enters a home illegally and had a legal right to be there. they should be prosecuted as criminals Criminal trespass if they present a false lease it should be fraud when someone is on a property has what is called adverse possession, takes that property as their own and has certain legal rights um we would I think it's invasion of private property, but they have to be evicted through the judicial process.

The process took several weeks, so in total it was 36 days before the squatters were evicted. It is appalling what these people get away with through current legislation after learning of their ordeal. Rep. Kevin Steel and state Sen. Keith Perry said enough is enough by introducing a new law to protect homeowners, giving police the right to immediately arrest squatters and criminally charge any trespasser with a crime. felony for any intentional damage, while forging a lease carries a misdemeanor charge and if someone tries to sell your property it is a first degree felony Patty Peoples shares her story in front of legislators the police have no power the landlord doesn't has power the only ones with power in this situation are the squatters and earlier this month the bill received unanimous bipartisan support and just today Florida Governor Ronda Santis

signed

it into law.

We are in the state of Florida, ending the squatter scam once and for all. It will come into effect on July 1. This bill really communicates that this is a people's rights bill. It is a justice bill. When you own a property it is very discouraging to know that you have to go through a long legal process that is not only long in duration but can also be very expensive, the reality is that unfortunately squatters are taking advantage of certain laws that are in place. in force. in your favor as Florida takes action the squatter crisis in other states has no end in sight, including Texas, time and time again we tell you about homeowners struggling to get their properties back after squatters moved in, now It seems to have happened once again and in New York, a squatter confrontation caught on camera by our WABC station, you shouldn't try to rob my house, yes you are, there's a man sleeping right there, get out of my house.

Adele Andaloro says she inherited this New York City house, but a group of people. he moved in and changed the locks, who are these, but the NYPD called to arrest a man, why do I have to leave and he doesn't have to leave because technically they can't kick him out? We have to go to court. but this man forced back inside was allowed to stay. Call the police again. The man told WABC investigative reporter Dan KRA that he

signed

a lease in October, although he showed no evidence. So how does this all end and when does it end?

The thing is, either she pays me the money I put into the house, she pays me the money and I leave or she sends me to court and we deal with the judge in the New York City court. Squatters have tenants' rights after 30 days, which makes this a Mr. tenant dispute, so when Adele had the locks changed again, they will arrest you right now, they will arrest you for what, for being in my, for being in my own home, the police took her away in handcuffs for illegal eviction, the charges against Andaloro have since been dropped.

We're tracking on our cell phones, we're taking video, we're taking pictures with few protections for homeowners, angry residents in this Los Angeles neighborhood, forming a neighborhood watch, you said squatters are treating this like it's their neighborhood, it is a constant. problem I've lived here since 1991 it's a very different vibe now for me personally it's triggering I don't feel sure what your worst fear is well let this escalate and if more crime could be invited into that house it could become a den of drugs a squatting incident in New York has even turned into a murder investigation two alleged squatters fleeing a murder in Manhattan have been arrested in Pennsylvania according to the NYPD Nadia vel, 52, Came Upon two squatters who They live in their late mother's empty apartment and she ended up dead.

Vel's body was found stuffed in a duffel bag meanwhile in Los Angeles and gaining much notoriety is Flash Shelton, a man who calls himself Squatter Hunter. Squatters are not homeless people, squatters are a self-entitled criminal type. people who don't care how their lives are affecting others he is squatting squatters he recently helped an elderly widow get a squatter out of her multi-million dollar home in Hollywood Hills and caught it all on camera so you came to the house and I confronted him here in the driveway, that's right, I understand that you've been squatting in this residence, yes, no, yes, I put myself between him and the house and I just said, you know, I understand that You've been squatting in this residence and, uh, he.

He started telling me that he had a lease, my goal right now is to get you out of this house. I actually followed him to the end, we just sat there and I talked to him for like an hour and a half. shows a former handyman this job is personal when a squatter took over his mother's house he moved in with the squatter until they left I own a house and you're telling me someone can come in and set up shop and not has to leave, yes, I have had many cases where people are just on vacation, you call the police and they just say look, I live here and you have a civil matter on your hands, the police can't do anything about it.

Don't do anything about it in Florida Patty has learned a thing or two from her harrowing journey. They are actually going to open houses as legitimate buyers or renters and are looking at the property. It is important to post non-intrusion signs throughout the property. The reason is that there are locks that cannot be drilled. Many of these squatters drill holes in the lock on the front door. Don't do like me. Don't approach squatters while her experience has left her feeling vulnerable. People are grateful. Homeowners like her are now protected. Under the law, the fight is by no means over, but it needs to be taken to every state, and if some kind of federal legislation can be worked out, I think that would be the best solution of all.

Hello everyone, George Stephanopoulos, thanks for checking out ABC News. YouTube Channel, for more videos, highlights and live event coverage, click right here to subscribe to our channel and don't forget to download the ABC News app to receive breaking news alerts , thanks for watching.