Sen. Perry’s bill combatting squatters completes committee stops

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation combatting rental property squatters passed all of its committee stops on Monday, following approval by the Senate Rules Committee.

The bill, SB 888, by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, would allow law enforcement to remove squatters who can’t produce a notarized lease signed by the landowner or proof that they are paying rent for the property.

Additionally, there would be penalties for individuals who produce fraudulent leases that are commonly used by squatters.

“Members, I think one of the most important things we have is to protect our citizens and their property,” Perry said.

“A problem we have now in the state of Florida is people either leave their house for a short period of time or they have a rental house, put it up for sale, people move into that house, change the locks, and you call law enforcement, law enforcement shows up, says this is a civil matter and you have to go through the courts to remove people who are illegally in your home,” he said.

According to Seward Law, a Tampa-based real estate attorney office, the only real way a landowner can remove squatters from their properties in Florida is by issuing an eviction notice and then filing an “unlawful detainer” action.

Issues with squatting became more severe after incidences in 2023 resulted in a Jacksonville property owner lost $40,000 in damages, following her legal battle to kick out two squatters who had been staying in a house that she owned. The conflict went on for 38 days before she the owner was legally able to re-enter to property.

The American Apartment Owners Association reported that 16 states have squatter laws that require individuals to live in a property for at least 20 years to make a claim of legal rights to a home they have been living in without the landowners acknowledgement or interest. New Jersey and Louisiana are tied at 30 years for the longest length of time amongst all states.

Florida sits at seven years and is only beat by California and Montana, each at five years, for the shortest length of time needed to grant a squatter certain rights to a property.