GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS SIGNS ANTI-SQUATTING BILL INTO LAW IN FLORIDA

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Bill to Combat Squatting in Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis has officially signed a bill that aims to combat squatting in Florida, with the law set to go into effect on July 1. This move comes after a News4JAX I-TEAM investigation exposed how a loophole in the law allowed individuals to live rent-free in a home for weeks while the property owner was unable to access their own premises.

Speaking about the bill, Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of protecting private property rights for homeowners. He stated, “In Florida, we are going to take action today to end this scam and protect the private property rights of our homeowners. You should not have anyone go on your property and take it over and then try to assert some rights. It’s absurd. We’re going to put an end to it today and we’ll be leading the way yet again in the process.”

The bill enables law enforcement to promptly remove squatters who do not possess a lease authorized by the property owner. It also introduces criminal penalties, such as designating presenting a fraudulent lease as a misdemeanor and making it a felony to intentionally cause more than $1,000 in property damage while squatting or trespassing.

Patti Peeples, a homeowner who fell victim to squatters, expressed her relief and hope following the signing of the bill. She shared her experience of strangers moving into her rental property, refusing to leave, and causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage before being evicted.

Peeples highlighted the challenges faced by homeowners in dealing with squatters and emphasized the need for legislative action to address this issue. She stated, “It’s just the wild west. They simply move from one place to another.” The bill allows wrongfully evicted individuals to sue for reinstatement, as well as recover attorneys’ fees and damages.

While critics initially raised concerns that the bill could potentially enable abusive landlords to remove lawful tenants, Florida Rising, a group advocating for historically marginalized communities, has since expressed neutrality towards the bill’s passage. They believe that the amendments made to the bill adequately protect legitimate tenants from wrongful eviction.

As the law prepares to take effect, homeowners like Patti Peeples are hopeful that it will provide them with the necessary tools to safeguard their property rights and prevent future incidents of squatting. The signing of this bill marks a significant step towards addressing the issue of squatting in Florida and ensuring that homeowners are protected from such fraudulent activities.