Florida law targeting residential ‘squatters’ effective July 1

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed HB 621, effective July 1. This bill allows homeowners to remove squatters and increases penalties on illegal tenants.

“I think it should be illegal,” said Thomas Demaio, who’s visiting Florida. “People work hard and put hard-earned money into purchasing properties where they live, and just because they may not be in that house at that particular time, I don’t think anybody has the right to then take over somebody’s property by just sitting in it.”

“Homelessness is because there’s just not enough housing, good housing,” said Marty Henry from Bonita Springs. “That’s the situation, so I’m totally against it.”

Under certain circumstances, property owners will be able to remove unauthorized people from residential properties by asking for help from local authorities. Marty Henry told WINK News he feels bad for people who end up homeless.

“I think they’re in a crisis. The fact that it becomes illegal, then you have the right to have them arrested, seems a little harsh to me,” Henry added.

The new law requires that the unauthorized person, or squatter, has unlawfully entered and remained on the property. The statute would not apply if someone enters lawfully but then refuses to leave.

“Many of the issues that come about that you see tend to be drug-related,” Demaio said, “and so now you’re talking about providing areas for illegal activities, or for some things that shouldn’t be, you know, that are harmful to the area.”

“It’s controversial. It’s complicated. It’s a complicated problem,” added Henry.

The new law creates harsh penalties, such as first- and second-degree felonies, for those engaged in squatting and for those who encourage it and teach others about the scam.