216: Squatters’ Rights: What Lawyers Want Landlords to Know in 2024 w/Denise Medina and Patrick MacQueen

On The Market

Squatters' rights have been a serious subject of debate over the past few years. It seems that more and more investors and even one-off landlords are dealing with squatters staying in their homes, whether they’ve had a lease in the past or not. This puts landlords in a strange predicament: try to get squatters out the legal way or offer unconventional incentives to entice the squatters to leave on their own accord. But how can a landlord prevent squatters from getting inside in the first place?

Denise Medina and Patrick MacQueen, attorneys based in Detroit and Phoenix, are here to share exactly what a landlord must know about squatters’ rights and how to get a squatter out of your property legally. With new squatter laws taking effect in states like Florida, it seems that landlords and local governments have had enough. However, squatters’ rights remain strong in many other areas, such as James Dainard’s own Seattle, Washington. So what can landlords from either coast do to get squatters out?

We’ll break down where squatters’ rights even came from, how landlords can get the legal upper hand and get a squatter OUT of their property, the exact steps a landlord should take, the prevention methods to stop squatting in the first place, and how James deals with squatters frequently without ever having to go to court!

In This Episode We Cover

Squatters’ rights explained, and the ancient laws that they’re based on

Why state governments are getting tired of squatters and tightening up their laws

What qualifies someone as a “squatter,” and why it’s MUCH broader than you think

Evictions 101 and the steps every landlord should take to get a squatter out

“Cash for keys” and maneuvering around the courts to remove squatters

Trespassing vs. squatting and why the police CANNOT simply come and take a squatter away

And So Much More!

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Connect with Denise:

https://www.thefgfirm.law/attorneys/denise-medina/

Connect with Patrick:

www.medalistlegal.com

Jump to topic:

00:00) Intro

(02:17) "Squatting" Explained

(06:00) A Rise in Squatters?

(10:22) Squatters' Rights

(19:01) What Landlords Can Do

(26:19) Tips for Landlords

(28:15) How Squatting is Changing

(33:03) Cash for Keys

Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/on-the-market-216

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