Florida Law Enforcement Officers can Evict Squatters at Once after New Florida Squatter Eviction Law: Residents Happy
A new legislation has been implemented, which empowers state law enforcement officials to swiftly remove squatters and imposes harsher penalties on offenders. This development aims to provide Florida homeowners with effective means to safeguard their property, bypassing the need for lengthy court procedures.
In a video posted to X, Gov. Ron DeSantis said his state is “ending this squatter scam once and for all” with HB 621.
“While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system,” DeSantis said at a press conference at the Orange County State Attorney’s Office after signing the bill in March.
“We’ve got people that will be here for seven months of the year, and then they’ll go to Michigan or New York or even Canada. You come back after the summer and someone’s in your house, and then they just get to stay there for six months. Now in Florida, you call up, you fill out a form, the sheriff comes, and the sheriff kicks him out of your property,” DeSantis said.
According to Attorney Kevin Fabrikant, supervisor of Florida’s Eviction Law Firm, the legal process for removing a squatter from a property in Florida has always been one of the fastest in the country. Typically, it takes about a month.
In states like New York and California, homeowners have been dealing with the ongoing issue of squatters for several months.
According to Fabrikant, homeowners may find the process to be quite expensive. It typically begins with a $300 filing fee and often requires costly legal representation.
However, with the new law in place, law enforcement officers will now have the ability to bypass the court process and proceed with evictions. This can happen as long as the homeowner files an affidavit and the intruder meets specific criteria.
It appears that the individual in question may have entered the property without permission, and it seems that the homeowner has already requested them to leave. Additionally, it is important to note that the individual cannot be a current or former tenant of the home, nor can they be an immediate relative of the homeowner seeking to remove them from the property.
The cost of a standard removal fee varies depending on the county in Florida. In most counties, it would be $90, while in Miami, it would be $115, according to Fabrikant as reported by The Post.
Under the new legislation, once officials confirm ownership and determine the complainant’s eligibility, the sheriff is required to remove the squatter.
Individuals who promote or participate in squatting will be subject to more severe penalties according to the legislation.
Individuals who create fake leases or other forms of proof of residence will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for making false written statements or falsifying documents.
Occupying a property and causing damages exceeding $1,000 can now result in a second-degree misdemeanor.
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