New bill protects property owners from squatting and allows police to intervene

FLORIDA – A new law that comes into force on July 1 will increase protection for property owners against squatting and allow police to intervene in squatting.

RELATED: Jacksonville squatters finally evicted from their home after 40 days, leaving behind $15,000 in damage, owners say

Under the new law, a property owner can request the police to immediately remove a squatter from his or her home if the following conditions are met:

1. This person has entered the property unlawfully and remains there

2. They were asked by the owner to leave the house but did not do so.

3. You are not a current or former tenant in a legal dispute

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking the property owner to complete an online form that will be available on its website.

The law also provides for harsh penalties for those involved in squatting fraud.

For example, it is a first-degree misdemeanor to make a false written statement to obtain a property, and it is a first-degree felony to willfully advertise the sale or rental of a home without legal authority or title to it.

RELATED: Jacksonville homeowner launches website to help others avoid unwanted squatting situations

Tom Hackney, crime and safety analyst at News4JAX, said he has dealt with squatting himself and knows the law will be helpful.

“If you listen to the stories that people tell about their homes, and also the story that News4JAX has previously reported, you can see that the damages that were associated with the people in the home had no business being there and had no legal right to be there,” Hackney said.

This story will be updated with more information on this new law and you will hear from Sheriff TK Waters. News4JAX spoke with him yesterday about the issue.