Ron DeSantis slams liberal New York and California for doing nothing about the surge in squatters as he signs bill to make sure they are immediately evicted
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed he ended the ‘squatter scam’ in the Sunshine State after signing a bill into law Wednesday that will speed up the process for homeowners to evict unwanted tenants.
The law allows for the immediate removal of squatters if certain conditions are met.
It’s a stark contrast with states like New York and California, which are notoriously difficult places to get squatters removed.
In a victory lap interview celebrating the new law Wednesday evening, DeSantis ripped the liberal states for siding with squatters.
‘It was never intended that you could just go into some subdivision and break into a house and start living there and then all the sudden have all these rights,’ he said.
‘In New York there was a case, and it was reported, where the homeowner went when someone had taken over her house and the police did not evict the squatters the police ended up arresting the homeowner,’ DeSantis decried.
The governor was seemingly referring to the case of Adele Andaloro, 47, who inherited property on a quiet street in Flushing, Queens. But when she planned to sell it, a squatter had replaced the front door and changed the locks.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared the squatter scam has ended in his state after he signed a measure into law that would reduce the time it takes for homeowners to get law enforcement to remove unwanted tenants
The measure also creates additional penalties for those who engage in or teach others how to squat on property that is not theirs
She was later arrested following a heated confrontation with a squatter who claimed he had the rights to live in her million-dollar family home.
‘What kind of a country is that,’ DeSantis said.
‘What New York does, what California does, Florida will do the opposite,’ he continued.
The new Florida law establishes that squatters may be removed by law enforcement if just three conditions are met.
First, the individual has illegally entered the property and remains there.
Second, the individual has been directed to leave the premises but refuses.
And third, the individual is not a current or former tenant engaged in a legal dispute with the owner.
If all three conditions are met, DeSantis says authorities will remove the squatters immediately. The bill will go into effect July 1, 2024.
‘We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida,’ he said while announcing the new law.
‘While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system.’
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Before the passage of the bill, squatters would be given rights akin to those of actual tenants.
Now, DeSantis said, residents must only ‘fill out a form, give it to your local sheriff and the sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally.’
The new law also establishes ‘harsh penalties for those engaged in squatting and for those who encourage squatting and teach others the scam,’ according to the release.
