Earlier today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 621, which protects property rights, provides homeowners remedies against squatting, and increases penalties on squatters. Below is an official statement from DeSantis’ office.
“We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system.”
Under HB 621, a property owner can request law enforcement to immediately remove a squatter from their property if the following conditions are met:
- The individual has unlawfully entered and remains on the property;
- The individual has been directed to leave the property by the owner but has not done so; and
- The individual is not a current or former tenant in a legal dispute.
In Florida, it will be quick and simple to reclaim your home from squatters, avoiding costly delays, litigation, and missed rents.
HB 621 also creates harsh penalties for those engaged in squatting and for those who encourage squatting and teach others the scam. The bill makes it:
- A first-degree misdemeanor for making a false statement in writing to obtain real property or for knowingly and willfully presenting a falsified document conveying property rights;
- A second-degree felony for any person who unlawfully occupies or trespasses in a residential dwelling and who intentionally causes $1,000 or more in damages; and
- A first-degree felony for knowingly advertising the sale or rent of a residential property without legal authority or ownership.
“Florida is once again leading the nation, this time in securing our state against squatters,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “Biden has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to flood across the border. After video evidence of their plan to take over homes emerged, we’re ensuring Floridians are protected from this egregious and brazen scheme. I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis for signing this important legislation into law, and to Representative Kevin Steele for carrying this bill through Session.”
For more on HB 621, click here.
Martin Janowiecki
March 28, 2024, 8:56 pm at 8:56 pm
This is windowdressing and not an effective bill, like so much of the high profile bills RdS has signed. Notice the requirements. The tenant must have entered illegally. So, if the person originally signed a lease, but later stopped payment and just won’t leave the law doesn’t apply, since the tenant entered legally. Also note the third requirement, the tenant wasn’t a prior legal tenant or current tenant involved in a legal dispute. So, the squatter just says, they are suing the landlord, and poof, there goes this bill up in smoke. If RdS and Ashley Moody wanted to do something effective, not just create a headline story, they could have. But they didn’t. So typical