Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Anti-squatting 'professional' celebrates Florida ban, as other state laws frustrate homeowners
Fox News ^ | 3/26/2024 | Chas. Kreitz

Posted on 03/28/2024 11:02:52 AM PDT by Signalman

The practice of squatting — or living in a home against the wishes of homeowners, often being protected by Byzantine civil statutes — is becoming a trend in the U.S.

However, upon the passage of a bipartisan state law in Florida that effectively bans the ability for unwanted house guests to stay as long as they want, a self-described anti-squatting activist and "professional" squatter-remover told Fox News he hopes more states will follow suit.

Flash Shelton first encountered squatting when individuals made themselves at home long-term at his mother's California house after his father died.

Shelton recounted to "America Reports" on Wednesday how police informed him that their hands were tied on a criminal justice level, and that evicting the squatters would have to be a civil matter.

"I decided to break the laws down and figured out that if they could take a house, I could take a house, and I got my squatters out in less than a day, and I decided to devote the attention I was getting from my YouTube channel to do something good," Shelton, who is the founder of the United Handymans Association, said.

"I announced a year ago I was going to fight for squatter law change, and then I opened up Squatter Hunters to help homeowners get rid of their squatters."

"As long as we can absolutely detail out the difference between squatting being criminal and tenant rights being civil, then I think it will make the difference and give the homeowners the balance and support that they deserve," he said.

Florida's law, celebrated by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, curtails lengthy civil court eviction processes and allows police to arrest squatters who cannot produce a lease or proof they are paying rent.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: antisquatting; foxnews; squatting

1 posted on 03/28/2024 11:02:52 AM PDT by Signalman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Signalman

I’ve been predicting for years that “house jacking” will become a thing.

Our enemies would have us fill up our empty bedrooms with squatters.


2 posted on 03/28/2024 11:06:19 AM PDT by GSWarrior
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

squatters need to start moving into liberal politicians homes when they leave for work

then the laws will be changed within days.


3 posted on 03/28/2024 11:10:13 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Fla’s law establishes harsher penalties for squatting crimes, including
<><>a second-degree felony charge against squatters who damage a home,
<><>a first-degree felony charge against those who fraudulently sell or lease a property,
<><>and a misdemeanor charge against those who purposefully present a fraudulent lease.
<><>the law allows property owners to file an affidavit to prove they legally own a property.
<><>Squatters then face criminal charges that they illegally moved into a home.
<><>the property owner can call on the sheriff’s office to immediately remove the squatter.


4 posted on 03/28/2024 11:10:52 AM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray: Our Father wIho art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Signalman
The legal profession is just one large turd. All the lawyers, judges, prosecutors, etc.

The simplest protections of the law are unavailable to anyone in the US.

And lawyers are so Fd up that no one could see this coming. For hundreds of years.

What a shit profession.

5 posted on 03/28/2024 11:25:01 AM PDT by caddie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Any Texans know if our AG could beef up the penalties somehow? Or is there a lawmaker who has commented on this matter for the next session?


6 posted on 03/28/2024 12:02:27 PM PDT by magna carta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

In the 1990s I heard a man who owned rental apartments and houses say when renters got mad at him, as when he tried for months to get the back rent they owed, when they left he would find total destruction in the places. A bare wire or two hanging from the ceiling. No toilet in the bathroom, just the hole in the floor where the pipe started. Graffiti painted on all walls along with gouges in them.

Wonder what the places look like after “squatters” are out.
Note:
“We vacuumed the rooms and washed the hardwood floors. Thanks for letting us stay.” (fat chance)


7 posted on 03/28/2024 12:26:45 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

The law doesn’t go nearly far enough. Squatters should come under Castle Doctrine and be classified as deadly threats by simply existing. The homeowner should then be empowered to take immediate lethal action. Squatting will vanish overnight .


8 posted on 03/28/2024 12:55:36 PM PDT by libertarian66
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Some of the squatters’ victims got what they voted for.


9 posted on 03/28/2024 1:40:11 PM PDT by Socon-Econ (adi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Home Invaders - act accordingly


10 posted on 03/28/2024 1:50:49 PM PDT by NWFree (Sigma male 🤪)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman
Shelton recounted to "America Reports" on Wednesday how police informed him that their hands were tied on a criminal justice level, and that evicting the squatters would have to be a civil matter.

The police lied to you.

They can do plenty legally, they just don't want to.

11 posted on 03/28/2024 2:38:45 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear ( Roses are red, Violets are blue, I love being on the government watch list, along with all of you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson